Emergency Question!

I just noticed that my in tank thermometer was broken in my tank and about half of all the little black pieces that were in the bottom of the thermometer are now in my tank!

What should I do? Will this cause any adverse reactions to my tank? I have a mixed reef and want to know if anything will be effected!

Thanks in advance.

 

Pretty sure that is lead. I would start digging.

 

they don't use murcury in those things anymore do they? I'm pretty sure jonjon is right, probably the lead weights to keep it oriented upright.
I would try removing it ASAP.

 

How much of it do I need to dig out? The pieces are about as small as granules of sand!

 

ohhh man that's not good. dig man dig! I would try and see what is exactly in those thermometers to be safe.

 

As much as you can. Siphon out that area of your sand. Remove that whole section of sand. Don't swallow any. Start your siphon someplace else in your tank.

 

I am currently running a protein skimmer, the canister filter with activated carbon and Bellaphos, and then I also have about 120 lbs live rock. Should I do a water change tomorrow and then another shortly thereafter?

What other precautionary measures should I take?

 

Does anybody know what the little black things are in the thermometers? Someone said mercury, but mercury is a silver liquid at room temperature.

 

I had the same thing happen 6 weeks ago being careless cleaning the glass. I siphoned the entire area below and took all the sand with it. To date no ill effects but I started going after it ASAP. The black balls on my thermometer were at the bottom and had nothing to do with the liquid in the thermometer itself. I think they are just weights to keep it upright. Good luck

 

i would siphion that whole area out