"Dave Allyn" wrote:

next question: the jug is at a slow bubble in the airlock. (one
blub every 3-4 seconds) the smaller container has not even started
to move the water from one side to the other to be able to bubble
(these are s-shaped airlocks) Is something wrong? they came out of
the same primary within seconds of each other. does the pressure just
need to build more? this container has the fine lees as well.

I don't know the answer to the first question, so I've skipped it.

Two possible explanations to the second come to mind:

1) there is less volume, thus less yeast, thus less yeast activity in the
smaller container, therefore less CO2 is produced, and it will take more
time for the pressure to build up enough to start bubbling.

2) there are more of the original lees in suspension in the larger container
(due to the order of transfer from the primary), and therefore there is MUCH
more yeast activity (in addition to the volumetric difference).

For what it's worth, this seems to always happen to me. The larger carboys
(which I fill first) are more active, and active sooner, than the smaller
ones. I wouldn't worry about it. Have a drink instead.