My yeast looks lke brown water
110F is almost too hot for the yeast. 100F works just as well and leaves a threshold of safety.

You do not have to warm the yeast before placing it into the water.

Try 1/2 tsp of sugar in 50 grams of 100F water to start the yeast. It should be a party in there within 10 minutes. If not, you've got dead yeast.