Fermenting, but airlock not bubbling

[PaulStat]

Got myself a new FV, just a standard 5 gallon bucket with lid. Now my other FV looks like this



Which has a handy screw lid with a hole to fit a rubber bung.

The bucket however I had to make my own hole, which isn't perfect but fits the rubber bung in quite nicely with only a very very small crack on one side leaving maybe a 1mm gap.

Now there is activity as there's a nice krausen, but no bubbling. Should I worry? (Answer is probably along the lines of RDWAHAHB )

[boingy]

Nope. No need to worry. The gas is simply taking the path of least resistance. In your case this is the nice little gap around the airlock bung. That is fine for primary fermentation - there is a nice layer of CO2 protecting the brew from the nasties. If you are planning on a prolonged secondary fermentation you would be wise to use the screwtop FV or to improve the seal on the bucket. Try wrapping clingfilm around the bung then force it into the hole.

[mattmacleod]

...or try a smear of vaseline or keg lube around the airlock bung before you insert, and also a smear on the lid o-ring.

I've got a number of these fermenters and they've all been leaky. The vaseline fills the gaps.