Head Space in Secondary

We've got our 3rd batch dry hopping in the secondary. Two Questions:

1. We filled the primary up to 5 gallons, but due to the loss after siphoning into the secondary, the 5 gallon BB is not filed all the way to the top. Is this going to be a problem or will enough CO2 leak to protect it from the air space?


2. I forgot to add the hop pellets to a bag, and now we're going to have to filter it somehow when we move to the bottling bucket. Ideas? I was thinking of fastening some cheese cloth to the bottom of the siphon.

1. No problem. Just transferring to the secondary should release enough C02 to displace the air. If you really want to make sure, give the carboy a swirl, and it will release even more C02.

2. The hops will settle to the bottom of the secondary. If you don't put the siphon down to the bottom, it won't pick up any of the hops. If you can tilt the carboy a day or so before racking, and gently lower the siphon tube keeping the inlet just below the surface of the beer, you will lose very little.

-a.

Great, thanks.

The hops particles from the pelets have still been hanging at the top, but I think we're going to give it another week anyway.