Lead in The Reef

[Wiz]

Hey Randy, I have been having a lot of issues with certain SPS in my tank. I have a lot going on at the moment and did not give it the attention that it deserves. Now my trumpet and candy cane corals are starting to lose their flesh and are showing skeleton here and there. Something must be done. I had a very small thermometer break in my tank a while back. And I had forgotten to get the LEaD balls out that were in there. Today I used a very small magnet and pulled out quite a few tiny lead pellets. I need to get a stronger magnet to get it thoroughly. Do you think this could be the cause of my woes?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The balls are likely steel, not lead, especially if magnetic (lead is not).

I wouldn't guess this is the issue, but it may depend on what exactly is in that metal.

 

[Wiz]

Somebody had told me that there was led in the glass thermometers. And the balls were black so I assumed that was it. But either way I will do my best to remove them if you think there's a chance that's what it is

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Somebody had told me that there was led in the glass thermometers. And the balls were black so I assumed that was it. But either way I will do my best to remove them if you think there's a chance that's what it is

There's no chance it is lead if it is magnetic. But it may have other undesirable metals.

 

[Wiz]

Here's some pics. Think I got it all. Time for water changes

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Sounds good.

Good luck.

 

[Wiz]

Update:
Changed my carbon, got a new course sponge, used a maxi jet to completly vacuum the stuff in the sump where it broke and the display sand, 25% water change and another 25% mixing for tomorrow or thursday. Gosh I hope it works.