SilverWolf Posted May 21, 2013 Report Share Posted May 21, 2013 So, while cleaning my tank today I noticed my thermometer had water in it!!! I pulled it out right away and tossed it. It is a traditional floating thermometer with the mercury beads at the bottom. Are these still made of real mercury? Can my fish be poisoned from it? What should I do? I did a 50% change tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekbottom Posted May 21, 2013 Report Share Posted May 21, 2013 Are you sure those are mercury beads? I would think they are lead or something similar because mercury should be liquid at room temp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverWolf Posted May 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2013 I donno? I just don't want to lose my tank whatever it is! I can't afford to restart. :S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wingin' It Posted May 21, 2013 Report Share Posted May 21, 2013 What colour is the liquid? Red? If yes it's not mercury. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishnerd Posted May 21, 2013 Report Share Posted May 21, 2013 Those little beads I believe are steel and are just to hold the bottom down to keep it upright. The red liquid is dyed alcohol. Most thermometers are alcohol thermometers. I wouldn't give it a second thought... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverWolf Posted May 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2013 Yea it was red.. I'll give them another water change in a couple days and hopefully that'll clear anything else out. :S Thanks guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zenins Posted May 22, 2013 Report Share Posted May 22, 2013 Those little beads I believe are steel and are just to hold the bottom down to keep it upright. The red liquid is dyed alcohol. Most thermometers are alcohol thermometers. I wouldn't give it a second thought... Agreed, has happened to me several times over the years, now I use the metal backed thermometers, especially in my cichlid tanks. I even have a battery powered one with just a probe that goes in the tank, I move it from tank to tank when I need to know if my heaters are behaving correctly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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