Glass thermometer exploded in tank

[Brieninsac]

Has anyone ever had one of those cheap glass thermometers break in the tank?

When I came home tonight I checked one of my QTs and the thermometer was laying at the bottom. Since they float I knew it had broken somehow. It looks like the top blew off. I can't seem to find the top either. Plus that QT has all the jumpers in it, which will make looking for it a real PIA.

All the fish are fine and I hope it didn't release any toxins into the water. It looks like the mercury is below the red wax seal and didn't leak.

 

[FirstContact]

I guess I'd try to find the remaining glass. At least you don't have to do a big water change if there was no mercury exposure. Since it's a QT tank, maybe you find the glass after transferring the fish?

 

[Mike Ordner]

Can't imagine how it could of broke if it was not hit by something. Do you have a powerhead that could of knocked it loose from the glass side? Was the liquid red? If so, no mercury. Probably red dyed alcohol. The broken glass would be the biggest problem for fish. If it were me, I would do a quick transfer of fish to a temporary holding bucket, dump everything out and start new.

 

[Brieninsac]

It was on the opposite site of the powerhead. When its come loose before it would just float. I guess it could have come loose again and the powerhead blew it into the side of the tank causing it to break.

I'm almost due for my weekly w/c so I'll see if I can find the broken glass and suck it up.

 

[canadianeh]

I broke my glass thermometer too last night in my QT tank by accident. The black beads came out and all over the tank. The fish was not in it when this happened.

What are those black beads? Are those Mercury? What do I need to do now to make sure it is fish safe (no dangerous chemicals left in tank)? I vacuumed all the black beads out of the tank and dried the tank.

 

[fishguy306]

I'm not much help on the glass or how it broke part, however some good news for you, unless the thermometer was very old it wouldn't have had mercury in it. The vast majority these days are alcohol based. Depending on the size of the tank such a small amount shouldn't give you any issues.

 

[tkeracer619]

There hasn't been mercury in thermometers for a very long time.

The beads are steel weights.

 

[kelp47]

I've broken a couple in QT tanks. As others have stated, mercury is not a problem. Glass and metal beads are. You'll want to try to clean both out. The beads will rust quickly if left in the water, and they will also collect in the corners and around the top rim of the tank when you empty it out. I found it best to empty the tank as best possible, dry it as best possible, and then you can use a magnet to help get the beads that are caught up in the rim or around the edges of the bottom where you can't really see them.