Slow Yeast and / or no evidence any fermentation

Ingredients
1

I brewed a Belgian Wheat IPA on Friday (8-24-12) from the kit the Austin Home Brew.  My OG was 1.070 which was on target and I pitched 2 WYEAST Belgian Strong Ale 1388.  Fermentation started within 12 hours and was kicking until this morning.  I opened up the carboy and there was no evidence of any real noticeable fermentation as the top fermenting yeast cake I guess had begun settling to the bottom.  I took a gravity reading and it was at 1.028.  It has only been 3 to 3/12 days since I brewed this batch.  Is there reason to be concerned?

Here is the recipe:
7lb Belgian Pilsen Malt
6 LBS White Wheat
1/2 lb Aromatic Malt
1/2 lb Flaked Wheat.

Mashed for 1 hour at 154 then mashout for 15 minutes at 168.  Fly Sparged for 1 hour using 170 degree water.  60 minute boil.

Thank you in advance!

2

was the fermentation temp steady? What temp did you start the fermentation at? What temp did you hold the fermentation?

3

I have a swamp cooler set up.  I pitched the yeast at 69 and it has hovered the entire time between 71 and 73.

I have an IPA right next to it in another carboy with the same swamp cooler setup and its temps have remained just like the Belgian Wheat IPA

4

How are you measuring gravity? Hydrometer or refractometer?

5

Hydrometer

6

I don’t think there is anything to worry about. it’s only been 3.5 days you say. I think it’s still working. take another reading in another 2 days and if it is still at 1.028 then start worrying.

7

You are certain the hydrometer was floating and not touching the bottom of the tube right?

8

I typically don’t pull a sample.  JUst drop my sanitized hydrometer into the fermenter and take a reading.

9

If there is still alot of co2 disolved in the beer it’s going to cling to the hydro and lift it up a bit. Take a sample, degas by shaking or pouring back and forth from one vessel to another and then take a reading. I don’t think it would explain 20 points but it might well knock of 5 or so points.

10

OK. Then I’d recommend patience. Worry if it hasn’t changed in a few days.