Packbacker2
Member
yum. Penicillium sp. The longer you let that go, the more sporulation is going to occur, hence the blue color in the center of the colonies.
The last beer blew over so I thought under pitching might solve that with this brew.
LandoLincoln said:That's a bad idea. That's just going to cause more problems than it solves. Try using some fermcap drops to control krausen instead, or just use a blowoff tube.
Just hoping he can provide more clarity and insight into situation. More of a learning opportunity than anything.
For the record, this is not the best method of aeration. If I remember correctly, this yields somewhere between 4-6 PPM of oxygen dissolved. Shaking the heck out of the fermenter nets you 8 PPM of oxygen (same as you get with an aquarium pump).
Ideally, you'd like 10 or so PPM of oxygen, but to do that, you have to use pure O2.
Bottom line - in the future, shake your carboy/bucket/better bottle to get the best aeration you can witout the purchase of new gear. You'll get healthier yeast and better growth rates.
Is the fact that the air is traveling through a pump that can add contamination?
Do you have to use an aeration stone with an aquarium pump (which adds to the cost)? What about getting bugs in the wort? Does the pump just suck air in or filter it? I know they make those inline filters, too. Again with the cost, though. Just curious.
You're just trying to further insight an argument. Don't be a jacka$$. From what I know of Revvy, I'm sure the issue has been resolved in private.
that first picture was terrible. it was basically no different from not having a picture at all and someone saying, 'funny stuff is floating on my beer.'That was my take on this, too. Revvy was wrong, it was mold. I was wrong, it was mold. Others who said not to worry were wrong... it was mold.
To me, the lesson is to be sure to be vigilant on sanitation, treat your yeast with care, and make sure to pitch enough total yeast!
that first picture was terrible. it was basically no different from not having a picture at all and someone saying, 'funny stuff is floating on my beer.'
on the other hand, maybe we should be a bit slower to jump to conclusions and ask for more data before suggesting something.
That was my take on this, too. Revvy was wrong, it was mold. I was wrong, it was mold. Others who said not to worry were wrong... it was mold.
Even with the crappy pic, there was the info needed in the first few posts. It took a while for it to gel, but the original question was more like, "I have a batch of wort with NO live yeast in it, and it has been sitting for 4-6 days. There is something blue/green and fuzzy on top. Does this seem normal?"
Everyone would have then agreed that that is not normal.
Of course, someone would have asked, "Does it smell normal?" And he (or maybe his friend who is deathly allergic to mold) could have take a big whiff from the top of the carboy. The autopsy would later show conclusively that it was, in fact, mold.
I am all in favor of less jackassery, HOWEVER, there are some other lessons here (besides sanitize, etc.). Like don't assume that someone is being a worrier just because they ask about infections or mold or the crazy way a fermentation takes off. And don't respond with a cocky attitude about noobs. There are some on here that do it frequently, and it's not helpful.
Like Thumper's dad said, if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say nothin' at all.
As rare as it might be (although from the hospital staff and microbiology student on this thread, it looks like it is less rare than everyone wants to believe), mold obviously grows and grows fast in wort. So the next time someone asks about "something funny is floating in my beer," don't dismiss it.
LandoLincoln said:That's a bad idea. That's just going to cause more problems than it solves. Try using some fermcap drops to control krausen instead, or just use a blowoff tube.
Thanks, I won't be making that mistake again. Going to redrew this with the suggested amount of yeast this time. We use a refrigerator with a thermostat that keeps it at the right temp so we're also going to a blow off tube.
By the rate at which this mold appeared and grew, there is a potential problem looming for your next batches.
You should carefully review your sanitation methods. Something got missed.
Don't forget to clean all your equipment thoroughly, particularly the inside of tubes, hoses, canes, etc. After this mold infection a good scrub of everything inside and out followed by a long soak in bleach water is no luxury. Then rinse well and sanitize.
What sanitizer do you use?
Did you brush that carboy well (with a carboy brush and "soap") after your previous use?
ericbw said:Do you have to use an aeration stone with an aquarium pump (which adds to the cost)? What about getting bugs in the wort? Does the pump just suck air in or filter it? I know they make those inline filters, too. Again with the cost, though. Just curious.
You're just trying to further insight an argument. Don't be a jacka$$. From what I know of Revvy, I'm sure the issue has been resolved in private.
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