Secondary Fermentation- Is it too late

[Caeye]

First timer here so please bare with me.

I fermented a merlo for two weeks as instructions stated. I racked it into the carboy and placed the airlock on top but I did not top off the wine with water. The wine is approx 4-5 inches from the bottom of the airlock. My questions are:
1) Must I top off the wine within a few inches of the airlock and if so why is this important?

2) Is it too late to add water to top off and if not, after I add the water should I stir it slightly?

3) At what temp should the room be during the secondary fermentation.

Also, when testing the wine after primary, if seemed very "thin and light and mild tasting" is this normal?

 

[Yooper]

If you're using a kit, it's always best to follow their instructions regarding topping up. Sometimes they have you degas before topping up, for example.

If this is a wine made from merlot grapes (not a kit), you should immediately top up with a commercial merlot to prevent oxidation.

Temperature isn't terribly important- a good temperature for wine is room temperature. Too cool and it may not finish fermenting, but over 62 degrees or so should be fine.

Young wines usually don't taste very good- so don't judge the final product yet by how it is right now.

How did you get to where you are now? What products did you use?

 

[Caeye]

I used a kit called Vino del Vida - Heritage estates. I used a True Brew Kit (6 gal bucket and carboy) I let if ferment for 14 days and then racked it into the carboy. I racked it about 6 days ago. I did not top off the carboy because the wine tasted weak and I did not want to dilute it with water. I'm worred about the headspace now after reading some posts about the importance of it. DO you think my wine will be ruined if I have too much headspace?

 

[Yooper]

I don't think it'll be ruined. It may have some oxidation, it may not. You could sanitize some marbles or something to put in there to raise the level, or you could rack to a smaller carboy if you don't want to top up.

 

[KENfromMI]

I'm trying my first few kits as we speak, I usually use juice pails and top off immediately after primary is finished and I rack secondary. One of the kits I'm doing has you leave the headspace in the secondary for 10 days before topping up after adding sulfites and clarifiers etc. I'm nervous about the space but I read the directions 10 times and in bold print it says do not top off at this time, you will need the space to stir the fining agents in. I'm following it and hope it works out its a 4 or 6 week kit, my more expensive kits dont have you leave the headspace in the directions. I'm surprised your's doesnt give better directions, good luck, Ken