[snipped for bandwidth]
[metal plant stand in pond]

I'm guessing it's a iron or steel wire bent into the shape of a pot
holder/stand, then coated with a vinyl or latex paint. My bet is it quickly
turns into a rusting thing with chips of paint peeling off.

Yeah, you have a point. Bet it will. :-( I'm going to have to keep
an eye on it.

If it's 2ft deep,. what about upside down milk crates? and upside down soda
crates You can usually find those behind restaurants, convience stores and
grocery stores. The milk crates I got have a plastic mesh on 3 sides, so the
top and front are open, when upside down, they make a little cave.

Oh, good idea! I love the idea of the cave, too. The crates might be
too short, but I can always prop them up on blocks.

In my pond, I put them on top of 2 cinderblocks to make a little tunnel
which the big fish seem to enjoy and the smaller fish like to swim through
the handles and mesh. Someone in here once posted that they made caves and
plant stands out of 4" and 6" PVC tubes. Try that from your local hardware
store.

-S

That's a great idea, thanks!!

Joan