Congrats! If you haven't already and can make some time, reading this entire thread will yield lots of information. On temp control, I am using a cooler filled with water about 1/2 to 3/4 up the side of the MB with an aquariam heater (adjustable) to maintain the water temp around 55 degrees F. This with the exthermoic action during fermentation keeps real close to where the temp should be for the particular yeast that I am using. I put two sanitized plastic baggies on the spigot secured with rubber bands to prevent water from possibliy getting by the spigot seal and into the fermentor. I also mix one step in the cooler water, but I don't think that it keeps the water sanitized for my usual 3 to 4 week fermenations. I ferment in my basement which this time of year is around 50 degress.
Cheers,
Cheers,