JM next time read the post from the start. Since when did I talk about breeding convicts or guppies? Thanks for the great advice, I am really glad you took time out of your day to post such value added comments.
Others: I am going to start construction of the pond in the next month. I am going to cycle the pond with some hardy cool water fish like white clouds so that by May the pond will be ready to raise plants and fish. I haven't really decided what to grow but the java moss suggestion is a great one. Contrary to JM1212's extremely insightful comments; I talked to a pet store owner yesterday and he said that getting java moss that isn't brown and nasty can be very difficult at certain times of the year. He said if it is green and looks good he will buy it by the ounce. He said in the past he has bought it off aquarists when they offer, he said a basketball size clump will get $10 if it looks good. He mentioned how it is hard to grow that much in an aquarium; I didn't say anything about that! I also asked him about fish. He told me that if I could raise 10-20 clown loaches to a decent size (4-5") and they were well conditioned and colorful he would personally come out to see them and he would make an offer on the spot if he liked them. He said that getting large clown loaches is tough and there is a huge market for them.
There is a chance this could work!!
