Don,

If the ground is dry, and the pond is still filling, then the soil will suck up some water to get saturated. It won't pack down any more than it was packed with the heavy equipement when the pond was dug tho, unless it's the frost heaving that is settling back down.

I'd put the aeration system in when it's convenient for you and get it fired up, using the slow start-up procedure.

Let the fish be your guide to the amount that you feed, but you have to feed every day, not every other day, and at the same time every day. Fish get on a schedule, and will be waiting for you to throw the food. Don't feed more than what they can consume in 15 minutes. Were the fish that were purchased feed trained?

www.hoosierpondpros.com

[Linked Image from lh6.ggpht.com]
http://www.pondboss.com/subscribe.asp?c=4
3/4 to 1 1/4 ac pond LMB, SMB, PS, BG, RES, CC, YP, Bardello BG, (RBT & Blue Tilapia - seasonal).