My problem is complicated. I'm in the process of building a pond approx 2,000 gallons. It will be about 4 ft deep in the middle. I've spent alot of time scoping out man-made ponds in the area and have come to the conclusion that the comman problem seems to be that oxygenators don't grow well here. Thus; green, brown water, and few plants. Our winters are long, but yes, many hardy plants will gleefully survive although they never seem to grow very big. I'm looking for a lushly planted pond, not just a sporadic cattail or two and a couple of floating lilies. Using tropicals as "annuals" doesn't work well either, because nighttime temps fall into the 50's, and sometimes the 40's....even in August! So, what to do, what to do?? Lots of proper filteration can combat the algea problem, but it doesn't solve the problem of only having a few plants in a huge fish pond. Any ideas for cold hardy oxygenators and/or floaters? I would like to try to overwinter some anarcaris (sp) in buckets in my pump-house. I know they do go dormant, and the pumphouse always stays just above freezing but will it last a dormancy of 9 months? And, will it thrive in the summer cool water? How long would it take to grow enough to support a 2,000 gallon pond?

Thanks for any help that can be offered.

ps. I grew anarcaris in my pond in Virginia and it grew so fast I had to pull it out weekly and throw it on the compost. I can't believe they sell that stuff for $x.xx for only two or three sprigs. What I would give to have a cart-load of it now?!