I assume from newpond's original post that it is a new pond and the fish he described were the first stocking. I assume muck buildup will be minimal in the new pond. If a small 1/2 ac pond, had an inflow aquashade would be about useless due to low retention time so I assume no or very little inflow or outflow, probably a "dugout" pond. I am not sure about the identity of the "bottom plant growth" which may or may not be algae. The species should be known before speculation or opinions are provided.
Newpond also did not know the "rest of the story" behind Aquashade before using it. Aquashade like many other products has limitations.
Large amounts of "moss" are common in new ponds and the owner usually panics. Initial nutrient loadings of new ponds usually present problems regarding some sort of plant growth. Nutrient ratios determine which plants become dominant. Often a sales person leads a pond owner to believe that an aerator will solve their "moss", "algae" problems. Maybe yes, maybe no. It depends primarily on the source of the nutrients and the type/species of algae as to how much help an aerator will provide at reducing "moss", "algae", "plant", "weed" problems.
Since his aerator did not do much to deter his filamentous "moss" algae, I conclude that it was "fed" by one or a combination of: 1. the algae is growing due to dissolved nutrients washed, rinsed, or pumped into the pond, 2. excessive additions of fish food - fish manure decay, 3. more nutrients are present than the aerator system can assimilate. Every aerator has a nutrient assimilation optimum or maximum.
Kelly's advice is sound and well based.
