Thermometer broke in my tank

[bluecheese]

I just heard a popping noise coming from the tank. I looked over and saw the metal beads falling into the sand bed. How much of an issue is this? Do I need to painstakingly remove each individual bead?

 

[Ziggy17]

As in mercury (silver liquid beads)?

 

[bluecheese]

As in the metal beads at the bottom of a thermometer like this. I don't believe they use mercury anymore for thermometers.

 

[Ziggy17]

A quick search of the threads here found this.

Thermometer

I am guessing this has been talked about before. But don't feel like scrolling through pages and pages to find out. Anyways I am new to saltwater. I have a 30 rimless cube reef tank. I have freshwater tanks as well. I was using the glass thermometers however in the last year I have had two just...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Ziggy17]

I would say yes to removing the beads. I’m sure they will leech out over time.

 

[bluecheese]

Ok. I scooped out the portion of sand that had the beads on it. I think I may have gotten them all. If not, its in God's hands now.

 

[TX_REEF]

Maybe add some activated carbon as well to combat leaching that may have occured.

 

[bluecheese]

Maybe add some activated carbon as well to combat leaching that may have occured.

Way ahead of you on that one. Thanks.

 

[Cell]

I believe those are lead or steel balls for ballast. A magnet might work if steel.

 

[Dburr1014]

Yes, a magnet. Run it over the sand in that spot and it will pull them out.

 

[Devisissy]

OMG this happened to me. I went magnet fishing. Took one right off the fridge. It was sort of fun.

 

[JAS927]

Yes, they’ll come out with a magnet. I have a very aggressive cichlid tank with some near 1 footers and they all got going one night and smashed a thermometer…it wasn’t a huge deal - watch your fingers if there are glass shards in the sand you’re digging in though.