Hmmm, that's interesting about the loose fitting lid. I have been brewing beer for a little while and use the bucket ferment method. Here I always snap the lid shut.
I too just started a batch of "traditional" mead on Monday. Well I got concerned when it didn't start. After a day of impatient waiting I went to the lhbs and got some nutrient and energizer, mixed that in and within 5 minuts of "snapping" the lid back on it was going berzerk. Today, the activity has slowed significantly (a bubble every 20 sec). Should I do a sg check and stir again then replace lid once again?
Ps the avg temp of must was about 77