Help, Thermo shattered in the tank.

[ko4000]

So yea, title says what happened. My GT was pretty hungry this morning and shot up like a great white at the pellets I dropped in his tank. Doing so he knocked the thermometer (suctioned to the glass) down and the tip of it broke.

None of the red stuff came out (mercury?) I believe. BUT there are these little tiny metal or lead looking balls that dropped out to the bottom of my tank. I scooped what I could see out of the tank with a cup. Does anyone know what those little balls are? Are they dangerous? Thanks!

Gonna get a pic up in a sec.

[ko4000]

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[PostalPenguin]

The red stuff isnt mercury. I believe it is some type of alcohol. The pellets are likely just lead pellets and if you get most of them out you should be ok. The glass is what I'd worry about, make sure you get all that out.

[frizzlefish]

The red stuff isnt mercury. I believe it is some type of alcohol. The pellets are likely just lead pellets and if you get most of them out you should be ok. The glass is what I'd worry about, make sure you get all that out.


I agree. The mercury would be found inside that center, unbroken piece.

[Sharon]

I've had that happen...there is no danger.:ssmile:

[PostalPenguin]

I agree. The mercury would be found inside that center, unbroken piece.

Even that is not mercury. The red plug is probably wax or some type of epoxy. The fluid inside the thermometer I think is a type of alcohol. Mercury is a silver liquid and is no longer found in thermometers for consumer use since a spill requires expensive cleanup to do right.

[frizzlefish]

Even that is not mercury. The red plug is probably wax or some type of epoxy. The fluid inside the thermometer I think is a type of alcohol. Mercury is a silver liquid and is no longer found in thermometers for consumer use since a spill requires expensive cleanup to do right.


Ah, I was unaware they stopped using that at all. Learn something new every day.

[chronic]

Yep, too many school kids throwin them at the walls and causing a panic lol

[ko4000]

OK, thanks! I was freaking out for a while. Wheewww! Glass all cleaned out so I should be good. Thanks again. thumbs2:

[Wild Turkey]

Even that is not mercury. The red plug is probably wax or some type of epoxy. The fluid inside the thermometer I think is a type of alcohol. Mercury is a silver liquid and is no longer found in thermometers for consumer use since a spill requires expensive cleanup to do right.


Correct. Mercury thermos are hard to find, and even harder to find for the aquarium hobby. I use those exact thermometers and they are "safe" in that they use alcohol, and as long as you clean the glass and do a large water change, it will be fine.

Mercury is very, very dangerous and should never be touched, handled, if you ever find any, call your state or county to deal with it and get away. Just skin contact can cause serious health problems in some cases.