starting a new pond

[thanew]

ok, i've started my dad on the idea that he needs to have a pond in his apartment complex, but im a little lost on where to actually begin. none of the local fish stores are really knowledgeable so its a little iffy with asking them on how to begin...

so if you guys could point out any websites, or maybe a few books to read in order to really get an outline of things i'd need to start it..

also I'm not really too fond of koi, and I've seen someone on here with like a 500 gallon pond with cichlids and the such.. is that a real viable idea ? i love cichlids and the such but I'm not so sure with ponds still..

so any help will be greatly appreciated.

[acronym:71e60defac="Thanks in Advance"]tia[/acronym:71e60defac]
thane