Six Gallon Carboy for Secondary

[Horseballs]

I am currently looking to add on two more secondary fermenters and one primary, and have a few options to consider. I have searched for the answer before, but it would make me feel more sure to get direct feedback from some more experienced dudes.

My first option is to get another 6.5 gallon bucket primary and two 5 gallon glass carboys from some dude on craigslist that hasn't scheduled a meet yet for 20 a piece.

Second option is to get a bucket and two 6 gallon glass carboys from my LHBS - the carboys are on sale for 25 each.

Third is a bucket and two 5 gallon better bottles from same store for 20 a bottle.

I have a bucket and 5 gallon glass carboy currently, but I worry about the extra gallon of headspace in the carboy for secondary... should I not worry about the potential oxidation? I plan on maybe doing some long term bulk aging which concerns me... what would you do?

 

[pretzelb]

I have the 5gal better bottle and it works good. Only issue is when I make a fruit porter with purée which comes in a big can and fills the carboy a bit.

 

[day_trippr]

[...]what would you do?

What I do: purge the head space with CO2. Problem solved, regardless of the vessel size...

Cheers!

 

[roadymi]

You can never have too many or a wide enough assortment of sizes.
The more variety you have the more flexibility you have.

 

[mattmcl]

Buy all the glass carboys. You can never have enough.

 

[LuiInIdaho]

I have only had one glass carboy (6 gallon) which I have gotten rid of. I use five 6-gallon better bottles for secondary fermentation. They work well, and I can use them for primary fermentation when in a pinch. Also, if there is a sufficient CO2 head, then oxidation is not a problem. Hope this helps. Mark