Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum
BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: theriverhawk on February 20, 2012, 02:11:06 pm
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I have a clear 5 gallon bucket that has measuring marks in 1/2 gallon increments on the side. So, as I'm doing math in my head, I do realize that it's supposed to be by pounds but it seems that 3 gallons of sugar would come reasonably close to making 5 gallons of 1:1. Am I off?????
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I usually fill the bucket half way with sugar and the rest hot water it usually comes out pretty close to 1to1 In the winter i fill the bucket with sugar then add half a bucket of hot water its close to 2 to 1 then, it doesnt have to be exact science in my opinion. Chris
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Spring or fall I fill gallon jugs with sugar, add as much hot water as it will take. The girls suck it up. Just my way of doing it. Don't know if this helps/encourages them to expand brood, but gives them easier drying (less water to pull off). IMO
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There are all sorts of concentrations of syrup. 1:2, 1:1, 5:3, 2:1... I make all mine in a five gallon pot. boil the water and add the sugar. I make 5:3. pounds of sugar to pints of water.
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I've never quite grasped the mixing volumes. I have made 1:1 before (I usually don't feed unless it's an emergency) awhile back in a 5g pail but I don't think that I filled it half way with sugar.
...DOUG
KD4MOJ
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So, after confusing answers, I just googled around myself...here's what I have come up with just in case anyone else wants to use it in the future.
Gallon of sugar= 5.8 lbs
Gallon of water= 8.3 lbs
So, in order to get 5 gallons of real 1:1 sugar to water or pretty dang close, you'd need 4 gallons of sugar and 3 gallons of water. You'd actually come out with 23.2 pounds of sugar and 24.9 pounds of water. That's close enough for me to call it 1:1.
For fall feeding and 2:1 sugar to water, I'm just gonna go with 2 1/2 gallons of sugar and a gallon of water. That's right at 15 lbs of sugar to 8 lbs of water. "Good enough for government work"
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Go here and scroll about half the way down the page, that might help you figure the mixes (and other things)... http://www.beekeeping.org/goodies/conversions_bee.htm (http://www.beekeeping.org/goodies/conversions_bee.htm)
Ed
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I also make 5:3, which is about as concentrated as you can get without spending lots of time stirring. I heat 1.8 gallons of water to a boil, pour the water in a 5 gallon bucket and then pour in 25 lbs of sugar. Stir for 30 seconds and it's done.
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Interesting Shift:
Just curious... when would you use 5:3?
...DOUG
KD4MOJ
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Interesting Shift:
Just curious... when would you use 5:3?
That's all I use..... spring or fall. As a general rule, I just think it's more efficient for the bees to move around concentrated sugar. Why make them move water? Concentrated syrup will be easier to store and cap. And I've never seen any evidence that the bees have to dilute it with water to use it as food.
As far as stimulating comb production, my bees seem quite stimulated by 5:3.
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>Why make them move water?
Not only that, but why make ME move water... :)
Yes, it keeps much better than 1:1 and is less to haul around and less work for the bees to dry it.
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Yes, it keeps much better than 1:1
I did an experiment last summer with 5:3 syrup and Apple Cider Vinegar. I wanted to see if ACV prolonged the life of the syrup. I could not tell any difference between the syrup with or without ACV. But what surprised me was how long the syrup lasted. I kept the syrup outside in the shade for 3 months at temperatures into the upper 90s/100 for weeks on end. There was never any bacterial growth. Toward the end of the 3 months I did see some white streamers which I think was yeast. I fed this syrup to the bees and they consumed it immediately with no ill effects.
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I'm going to have to get 5:3 a try. Last time I made 1:1... within a week, I had the black stuff (mold?) floating in it.
...DOUG
KD4MOJ
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Hmmm, so the idea of 1:1 mix for "stimulation" and 2:1 mix for "stores" should be on an episode of Myth Busters? From reading here it seems that the best mix is the one that gives the most sugar with the least amount of work required from both of the critters involved...???
Ed
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Ed, that is the way I figure it, and the way I do it.
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I like the expression that Michael Bush has posted here. "A pint is a pound the world round." I purchase my sugar in 50 pound bags at Restaurant Depot - the restaurant supply warehouse. Cost is one half that at the market. So if I figure 5:3 syrup, that's 50 lbs to 30 pints. Or 15 quarts per 50 lb bag. I set the bag on a scale and pour out 25 lbs of sugar into a 5 gal bucket and pour in 3.75 gallons (7.5 quarts) of boiling water and stir. If anyone has an easier method, I'm all ears.
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I made 5:3 at the end of the season last year while they could still take it in Oct, and had 4 baggie feeders left when it got too cold to put it on the hives that needed the extra help. I put them in a bucket in the cool garage for the winter and it is still good, no mold or funky stuff in it and waiting to use it if needed for this years start up to prevent starving. Other 1:1 and 2:1 that I have made have gotten moldy pretty fast. I will always use this mixture and the bees love it.
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I like the expression that Michael Bush has posted here. "A pint is a pound the world round."
Originated back in the 19th century in England(?) I believe The pint actually being just a touch over a pound but close enough. ;)
Ed
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Hey Stone:
check your conversion - 3.75 gallons (7.5 quarts)
3.75 gallons = 15 quarts
The conversion police are watching you! :-D