For starters, I would take Nancy/Frank, etal up on their kind offers for tutelage, and at the same time contact Burt Ballou to see if he would let you come to see his. Any pond with water so pristine that the owner can swim in it, is worth emulating...
Get yourself some "eyes on" with some top-end ponds, then come back here and write what you have observed and learned and how you plan to apply it to your own build. I honestly think you'll benefit more from that, not only for yourself but for you other educational goals as well, than you could ever hope for just asking questions here.
Not trying to blow you off, just push you higher
