Hey everybody, been lurking for a year, and reading lots of posts in an attempt to become educated. SW KY in Grayson County. I already have had an excavator dig my 1/4 acre pond. Avg depth of 8 feet with a few shelves. Because of soil content we installed a liner and have concrete fish hotels, swimming pool of pea gravel and other structures, some bought and some homemade. Mother Nature has the pond almost full as there is no direct water source flowing in. Siphon drain and spillway may get tested soon with Spring rains.

I am seeking advice on my plan for next steps. Water tests show all good and almost 0ppm on everything from alkalinity, Ph, etc. Water turbidity is not great but that's because there isn't much grass on watershed side, which I will be adding soon.
Here is the Plan:
1. Add a bottom aeration system and waterfall pump for aesthetics, but should turn over plenty of the water column and plan to run them for only parts of day depending on season
2. The adding grass and water aeration will hopefully drive a bit less turbidity
3. Ordering an underwater thermometer, pool net for gathering leaves and finish spillway and some light planting
4. With the liner somewhat exposed at top I plan to plant some longer grasses and rocks in places to cover from the sun degrading it
5. Also with liner I am assuming little plant growth, so will need to manage any algae and photosynthesis via dye and/or treatments
6. Almost no life at this time (I saw a frog last week), but plan to introduce FHM soon and will require feeding
7. In the fall plan to add RES and then next Spring a small # of LMB or HSB

Any feedback, tips, tricks or gotchas to avoid would be appreciated. I will take some pictures this weekend and put them up since people like seeing what I am describing.

Appreciate this community and getting ready to fill out my subscription to Pond Boss magazine.

It sounds like it should be FHM heaven right now.

And then hopefully RES/LMB/HSB heaven in 2-3 years!

Welcome to PB. Good luck with your project.

Welcome to the forum!

With 0 alkalinity you should have relatively clear water because the phytoplankton won't be able to utilize many of the nutrients that are in the water. I'd re-check that alkalinity number with a different test kit.

I retested everything today and here are my results
Alkalinity between 50-60 ppm
Ph 7.5
Ammonia 0.25 ppm
Nitrates 0 ppm

The water I pull out via a water bottle is very clear. The visibility is atleast 12-16 inches where my siphon drain goes in. But the pond itself is brown and looks muddy. Will the grass and aeration clear that up to a green brown?

It could be a type of brown phytoplankton.