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Ed
 
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Default Carboy Wine Level Indicator

I actually tried this season adding 1 gallon quantities of water and marking
the divisions with masking tape and then using the masking tape as a line
guide for tick marks. I tried marking the ticks with permanent markers and
special acrylic pens (designed for use on glass). Both washed off after a
few carboy cleanings. I believe they make special vitreous paints that can
be applied and then baked on in an over but I doubt my oven is big enough
for a 6 gallon carboy. That's a good idea on the medical tape. I think they
also make a special tape that is weather proof that uses 3M VHB (very high
bond) adhesive that can be purchased at auto body shops. I figured I'd ask
the question to see if there was an elegant off-the-shelf solution before I
try the semi-permanent tape.

Joe, you're right on the mark about precision. Unfortunately I'm a
mechanical engineer which makes me anal by nature ;-) I sleep easier at
night knowing my chemical additions (final SO2 adjustments in particular)
are is close as I can get. I know, it's a character flaw...

Thanks,
Charles

"Joe Sallustio" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> None of mine are the same, good point Steve. What I did was start
> noting on mine how many 750 ml bottles I got from each when I bottle.
> That way I can use that to advantage when racking. Most of my 5 gallon
> (US) are about 25.3 bottles, I have a few 26 and more too.
>
> You could reverse your idea and just apply tape to full carboys and as
> bottled mark them off. I would use medical cloth tape, it will never
> come off or dry out if you pick the right one.
>
> Charles,
> I can't think of any chemical addition that has to be that precise
> anyway. When you add acid, it's always just close to right. The
> additions are ballpark, the quantity required is not necessarily
> standardized since your wine is a combination of several acids.
>
> Fining trials are usually set up in half strength increments so there
> is no need to get precise there either.
>
> Just my two cents. If you have newer carboys my rule of thumb is the
> quantity to the first blister ring is 1/2 gallon, each ring after that
> 1 is a gallon and the top ring to the neck holds about 1/2 gallon.
>
> Joe
>
>
>> None of my carboys have the same capacity. Just variation in
>> manufacturing, I guess.

>
>> Another possibility is to mark off some masking tape and making your
>> own 'measuring tapes'.
>>
>> Take Care,
>> Steve noobie
>> Oregon

>