Mercury?

[Andyroo]

Never use a long, nifty scientific thermometer in your aquarium if the fish are bigger than maybe 1".

Noticed just now that my wife's nut-bar 10" Columbian shark-catfish has smashed the thermometer. I've managed to get out most/all of the glass (didn't shatter), but should I be worried about the Mercury?

Do I need to vac and replace all of the sand from that end (corner) of the tank?
I don't see the blob, so assume it's filtered down into the sand.

Curses and naughty words.

A

 

[deeda]

Do you remember what color the liquid was in the thermometer? If it wasn't silver colored, it probably wasn't mercury.

 

[Andyroo]

brilliant silver.... a very expensive thermometer that had no business being in an aquarium.

 

[pshtex]

yeah mercury is not a good thing to have in the aquarium and i would also say not good to now get that water on ur skin. if i had to guess i would say do big water changes over the next few days and hope for the best. not sure how mercury will affect the bio filter either.

 

[Andyroo]

theoretically it's elemental Hg, so should be less immediately toxic/bioavailable than organo-combo forms. Either way, out comes the syphon hose... damn.
A

 

[Andyroo]

if it was shiny, i wonder if the fish would have eaten it? Only sight hunter at that end of the tank are the angels though, and they look pretty spry.