I have a small (about 20 gallons) ceramic pot with fish and blooming water lillies. Before I started I went to the web to get advice and found conflicting information. What works for me is very small fish (actually Endlers livebearers about 1 inch long) and one of the smaller species of white water lillies. The small fish prevent any insect problems and provide the nutrients for the water lilys. I neither feed the fish nor fertilize the lillies. The lillies are planted in plain clay soil (comes in a 1 cubic foot bag at Home Depot called topsoil) in a standard plastic pot about 6 inches square and 4 inches deep. Any soil that sinks will work fine. I have tried potting soil and most of it floats and sand packs to tightly. The location needs at least 2 hours a day of sun to bet my species of lilly to bloom but 4 is better. I average about three blooms per day all year long. All I add is water when the rain is not sufficient. The water is clear and there is no aeration.

thanks for starting and advising on this thread! We just discovered a pond on our property, and have been fantasizing about turning it into a "water feature"
Lee

There are sources on the big island for water lilies and other plants suitable for a water feature. Also many native rushes and water loving plants for the shoreline would be interesting. Most natives are available at Amy Greenwell in Capt Cook. All are easy to grow. Good luck.

If you have a "water" feature or pond the place to start is water lilies. As I said above, small pots with "top" soil (in Hawaii that is heavy clay soil in plastic bags at Home Depot) with water lilies that can be purchased at various stores or if you cant find anything I can mail you some. I have to get them inspected before they can be shipped or if not that then I can have you purchase some from my son in Pahoa and I can deliver them. It is not difficult. If you want fish use small ones. If not use a chemical to prevent mosquitoes from developing.