I'm using the nodes off of
https://novaexchange.com/addnodes/ANC/ and have 4 active connections (clearnet) however my blockchain is not catching up. This is on a fresh install. I hear I2P seems to be working better and maybe this is what I need to do to get it to work but is there any reason why clearnet shouldn't be downloading the blockchain even with 4 peers?
Clearnet will work, but you have to install the bootstrap file or you'll be waiting days for the block chain to sync. The bootstrap brings it down to hours to sync.