Temperature

Is it ok to keep the brew in my basement while it is fermenting? My basement is chilly but not cold. I would say it is 50 at the lowest ever?

Thanks
-crxin-

50 sounds too cold. Check the recommended fermentation temperature of the yeast you will be using.

Really depends on what yeast you are using. For a lager, 50 would usually be acceptable for fermentation, but 50 would be way too low for say a Belgian Ale strain.

I havent picked out a yeast yet, but i was wondering what is the normal range?

Thats exactly it... the "normal range" depends on the strain of yeast. For example: Wyeast 1007 German Ale likes to ferment at 55-68 degrees. Whereas Wyeast 1214 Belgian Abbey likes to ferment at 68-78 degrees and Wyeast 2001 Urquell Lager likes 48-56 degrees.

See http://www.wyeastlab.com/hb_yeaststrain.cfm for specifics on Wyeast products; http://www.whitelabs.com/beer/homebrew_strains.html for Whitelabs... and most online HBS's will have the details as well (to include the dry strains).

Understood, so what are some methods people use to keep it warm in the winter?

I turn up the heat in my house. Probably a much more efficient way.

The brew belt is one way. A lot of people keep their fermenter in a bin of water and use an aquarium heater to heat the water.

I like the tub of water idea since I have a saltwater fish tank I should have everything

I keep it in a closet in my house. Right around 68 degrees