New to PM; Cold break and Etc...

[Big "A"]

1. How important might it be that I get a cold break?
I usually Ice my pot in the bathtub until I get down to 70-75 degrees. But I am just starting to read more on break removal and the like. I ladled the cool wort through cheese cloth.

1a. Should I siphon this into the carboy, after the break settles?

2. The gravity on my last batch was 1.078 how vigorous should the fermentation have been it's day 5 and it has slowed to once every 45seconds or so. I hope I get at least a 70-75% attenuation.

 

[david_42]

I've never worried about cold break, but most of my ales are dark. Siphoning after it settles will allow you to avoid most of the break.

Sounds like it's time to check the gravity, there really isn't any other way of knowing.