My first brew - Have I messed it up?

[Leann ull]

I love watching others work and fart it's very therapeutic.

[Drzava]

I use the tube my hydrometer came in with no issues. A buddy got one with a slightly tighter tube though - too tight I felt, but he's using it anyway. If it doesn't touch the sides when floating it should be fine.

[LordEoin]

I like a tight one. if you put it in too fast you get a gush of sweet goodness out around. tasty lick lick... 

[nigel_c]

IKEA do a glass flower vase thing. Nice wide base. That's what I use.
Think it's this one.
http://www.ikea.com/ie/en/products/decoration/vases-bowls/tajt-vase-clear-glass-art-10067655/

[thechevron]

IKEA do a glass flower vase thing. Nice wide base. That's what I use.
Think it's this one.
http://www.ikea.com/ie/en/products/decoration/vases-bowls/tajt-vase-clear-glass-art-10067655/

That looks the job.

[auralabuse]

I like a tight one. if you put it in too fast you get a gush of sweet goodness out around. tasty lick lick...

Down with that sort of thing

[thechevron]

So I opened it briefly to find this? Is it dead? 6 days and it looks as if nothing has happened. Can it be rescued?

[nigel_c]

It's all good. Most of the fermentation is probably done so it's starting to condition now. Relax. It's all good.

[Leann ull]

Shut that lid!, leave it another week at your ferementation temp. I mean 7 days 168 hours with out touching it, no, nope don't touch duh no discussion Try and get a tight seal on the bucket. You can press the middle of the lid when its closed and that should send air through the airlock, if it doesn't you have air escaping somewhere else. sometimes at the base of the airlock, don't fiddle with it now. 

You have Krausen around the rim of the bucket so its been fermenting, its looking clear and so all the right signs so just leave it

[Drzava]

Yeah looks fine to me. It'll be grand!

[thechevron]

Ok.  That's the one and only time I opened it. It is tight. When I push the lid I get bubbles in the airlock.

If it's dead I don't want to waste time. It says on the kit instructions I should be adding the hops Sunday. No chance of that.

[Pheeel]

If it's dead I don't want to waste time. It says on the kit instructions I should be adding the hops Sunday. No chance of that.

Its not dead. It looks perfectly normal. The bulk of the fermentation has finished which is why nothing appears to be happening. Add the hops Sunday

[LordEoin]

what's the gravity now?

[thechevron]

1.018

[thechevron]

Same for the last few days.