New guy question about secondary

[rusjmichael]

Hey all this is my first post glad to be on here but not so glad about my question..

im brewing my first batch as I type this and have just recently racked it into the secondary. The problem im having is there is easily a gallon and a half or so of free space at the top of the carboy. I went to a guy who "says" he has had this happen before and that he has put some water in just to fill some of the space and it didnt dilute it enough to where it caused issues so I took his advice and did just that.

Is what I did a big no no or do you guys think I will be alright? im brewing a brown ale btw...please ask anything if it will help me figure this out thanks guys.

 

[NineMilBill]

You'll be alright. Most people don't rack to secondary unless dry hopping or adding fruit, spice, etc. - however, you typically rack to a 5 gallon carboy for a secondary due to the lack of fermentation magic of krausen building up. Do not top off with water, thats just madness, and do not sweat it. Keep in it there for 2 weeks or so - monitor your FG readings, and then bottle/keg.

Your beer is fine!

 

[kh54s10]

You just made your beer thinner, lower ABV and could possibly have contaminated it. There is really no need to fill the head space. You will get differing opinions on this though. The yeast will produce some more co2 in secondary. Co2 is heavier than oxygen so it will layer above the beer protecting it from oxidation.

Your beer will probably be ok, not as intended but still beer. Don't top up in secondary, it is not necessary. If you are worried about the head space get a smaller fermentation vessel for secondary. Or as many do, just skip secondary entirely. 3-4 weeks in primary, then bottle.

 

[rusjmichael]

I left a good bit of space just to be safe and i also sanitized a pot and boiled the water then brought the temp down to match before adding it in. the airlock started going off like crazy at day two (i kept it at 70 degrees) and about half way through day three it completely stopped so i checked the fg and it read on the "finish" line so i moved it into the carboy then did this. lord...i will prob just buy the same kit again and leave the secondary completely out of the equation.