Thermometer Broke In Tank

[Jen]

Hey all. I just smashed my thermometer and all the loose balls and glass fell in my substrate. I have done my best to take all the gravel out of that corner, but i am worried that the balls may have been missed. Do i need to worry?

 

[ellena]

Hmmm, the balls are lead, so sounds bad, but I did read an article about the strips of lead plants come with and the conclusion was that lead would leach into the water but that water changes would keep levels down. Can you suck all the gravel from that corner with a syphon to make sure?
I'd be more worried about the red or green liquid. Did any of that get into the water?

 

[Tolak]

The balls are steel in every weighted thermometer I have tested. Use a magnet to get them out.

 

[Jen]

Thanks. I scooped all the gravel out, and did magnet them; I think got all of them out from that segment. None of the liquid broke, just the outer glass, so I'm not worried about that at all.