Hi Lee, we've found that the float test isn't a very reliable test to mark starter readiness. While a starter will typically rise and fall within 12-24 hours after having been fed at room temperature, if your starter is very stiff in texture, or if you feed your starter at the high point of its rising, then you may not be able to perceive much of a fall. If you store your starter in the refrigerator most of the time and only allow it a few hours at room temperature after it has been fed, this may also interfere with the typical rise and fall you'll see at room temperature. While it's generally not necessary for the starter to fall in order to get optimum results, allowing your starter to spend adequate time at room temperature is important. Barb

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