I figure there are two types of pond managers. One type knows what he wants and knows how to get it.

The other kind either does not know what he wants, or doesn't know how to get it, or just likes to experiment. Lack of time or money is also likely departure from traditional managment techniques.

If you are one of the later, you are bound to make decisions that don't turn out being the good idea they seemed when you decided to pursue them.

What - regarding pond construction, types of fish, plants, fish and wildlife habitat, anything - would you not do again, and why?