Starter has lots of bubbles but not rising.
I posted this on another forum and this site was recommended to me. So I am posting here as well. From replies on the other site it seems as if maybe I have too much hydration. Just wanting to get it on the right track. Its still young so I want to make any corrections now instead of later. any and all suggestions or help will be greatly appreciated!
I have read post and searched the Internet for hours. I find some similar situations but still not sure what to do. Unfortunately I started most of my research after I started having "possible issues" I used the first recipe I found which is unlike any other, as it calls for active-dry yeast in the initial mix. Not sure why this recipes uses it but I already used it. The recipe called for:
2 cups all-purpose flour*
2 teaspoons granulated sugar (optional)**
1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) of active-dry yeast
2 cups warm water (105 to 115 degrees F.)***
Day one: lots of bubbles stirred it a few times about 12 hours in I fed it by removing one cup of the starter and putting in one cup all purpose flour and one cup of water.
Still good bubbles but no rise.
Day 2: stirred it on occasion fed again with one cup whole wheat flour and one cup water. In the evening did the same thing but went back to all purpose flour.
Still stirring on occasion.
Day 3: the aroma is not as strong and smells good, but still no rise starting to show a little bit of hooch (or as a responder on the other site said it may just be water separating). Stirred again to mix in hooch(or separated water) took out 1 cup and this time mixed whole wheat and all purpose flour. The starter seems a little thin so i did one cup of the mixed flour and 3/4 cup of bottled water. ( all previous water was tap) Bubbles started right away. I put the container in the oven and turned on the oven light. The level is slightly below my mark. I guessing maybe it has fallen slightly. It's a very large container so I don't think 1/4 cup of less water would be that noticeable 1/8 inch below my mark. Not sure what else to do. I am sure it's alive as I have bubbles. The thermostat in the house is usually set between 68 and 71 so maybe it's just too cool. I will see if putting in the oven makes any difference.
Please tell me what else to try! Am I just being impatient or do I need to try something different? Like many others here, I have invested lots of time (and flour) in this and hope I don't have to abandon it.
Note. Container is heavy glass and I only use a wooden spoon