No/Slow fermentation

[mohawk_john]

So I brewed an american honey pale ale. I did my first yeast starter with it, in hopes of a quick clean fermentation, instead, 36 hours later...nothing....I ran my starter on a stir plate for 24 hours before, with an empty airlock on top. Could the airlock have been the problem? Any ideas?

 

[CBMbrewer]

Fermentation can take up to 72 hours to start. Bucket fermentors have been known to not make great seals. If that is what you are using then it is completely possible that fermentation is well under way.