[new2koi]

I am a new koi enthusiast. Haven't even built my pond yet and like many i spend sleepless nights thinking about it. I have almost every thing planned out. I even started building filters (55gal barrels). One barrel was going to be just bio material. My questions were this: Just to get more air saturation can I have air going through the media? And on the bacteria, do you have to introduce it ( i've seen photos of a bacteria product ) or will it establish itself.
I'm waiting on the camera so I can post a shot of what I wanted to use for the media. I have barrels and barrels full of plastic shavings from a cnc machine. Alot finer than pvc shavings on a lathe. As long as I block it from getting back to the pond can I use that?

Sorry for the long post any help will be appreciated. thanx