Ahh I didnt see your replies to all that. I will switch the greens I throw in for everyone then.
As for the current thats not as much as you think. I have a T coming off the main pump on the back left corner of the pond that sends the water to the water return log area. The water coming out of the log pushes the water back to the front left corner where the pump is. There is maaaybe an ever so slight whirlpool effect but hardly anything more than just enough to make a leafe make it to the pump eventualy. With the fish swimming and the turtle swimming it kicks up anything else that might settle. Its really not that strong. How deep the the dirt need to be on this land area?
I have been thinking of ideas on how to build a large land area with out covering the pond. I think I might build a area on the right side of the pond where the water log return is....over the box that covers the filter...might redo the way the filter is hidden buy putting it under a large land area. I can "fence" it in so the only way off the land area is back into the pond.
Questions...is she done laying eggs this season? Can I wait till right before spring to build the land area? She probably wont be in it for this winter anyway.