Broken Thermometer - Measures To Take ?

[rk4n3]

Hi all,
 
I'm almost complete with a fishless-cycle on my 29-gal tank.  I was cleaning out the algae with a scrub pad, and bumped the thermometer against the corner of the tank and broke it.  Its one of those with red-colored stuff in it, and some kind of metal "shot" in the bottom.  I pulled it out before much of the red stuff got into the water, but the metal pieces immediately sank and merged with the gravel.
 
What measures do I have to go through to ensure the tank is safe for fish ?  I'm assuming near-full water change, but do I need to completely eliminate the metal pieces ?  I feel like I would have to replace alot of the tank's gravel to accomplish that ...
 
Thoughts ?
 
Thanks in advance,
rk4n3

 

[Blondielovesfish]

I'm not sure if they are or not but the metal pieces may be mercury (I'm not sure if it is still used) so it may be best to remove it just to be on the safe side. A 80-90% waterchange would be best to dilute it as much as possible so it is safe for fish.

 

[TallTree01]

I agree with BLF.
These days fish have been forced to adapt to mercury because of amounts in their natural habitat. Do large water change and gravel vac and you should be good to go.

 

[Essjay]

The metal won't be mercury, the bits in the bottom of my thermometer are solid little balls and mercury is a liquid. But I still wouldn't leave chunks of metal in the tank. How widely did the metal bits spread? If they just fell straight down you would only have to clean a small area of gravel.
The red liquid is more of a problem as that will be well mixed in the water. You will have to do a huge water change at the end of the fishless cycle before you get fish. If you make that a 100% water change it should get rid of all but the last trace of the red liquid. Or you could always do 2 x 100% water chages to make doubly sure......

 

[eaglesaquarium]

essjay is correct.
 
 
Mercury is not sold in thermometers anymore.  The red liquid is a alcohol base.  This will need to be diluted - which it already has pretty well, I'm sure.  But, as noted a few extra water changes will remove that.  The metal balls are usually lead shot.  They will be safe enough, but you should still try to remove them as they will slowly leech lead into the tank.  If you miss one or two its not going to be a big deal as the levels will be staying low with standard maintenance. 

 

[rk4n3]

Thanks for all the info ... here is the actual thermometer:
 
http/www.petco.com/product/102939/Petco-Thermometer-with-Suction-Cup.aspx
 
... I haven't found any clear indication on whether the metal is lead or steel shot.
 
The shot instantly zipped down through the gravel when I tried to scoop it, and it
all went down under the under-gravel grid, so I'll have to completely undo that side
of the tank to get at it.  I did one almost-100% water change right away, before I
tried to get the metal pieces, so now I guess I'll be doing another big water change
before putting fish in, and I'll try to lift the grid and get the shot out then.
 
What a pain !
 
Thanks again
 
rk4n3

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Better than mercury.

 

[CASIN0]

I realised mine had broken the other day and noticed metal balls falling out of the bottom. I thought they were lead. still in my tank. I should chuck it really but I need to get a new one.