rust/lead

I just found a little rusty ball in the bottom of my tank, so I used the magnet from the magfloat to get it out and 3 more popped up from the sand. So a little more digging and I pulled about 30 more out. All I can think is that a salinity bobber broke and no one told me... what should I be doing? (i got most out)

 

I'm unfamiliar with salinity bobbers, but I would get it all out. Keep at 'er with the magnet. Sift the sand a bit at a time in the area in which you figure it broke. Don't do your entire sand bed at once - this can release large amount of gas that can be harmful to fish.

 

i don't know if that is what they are called, but they are glass tubes, with little ( i assume) lead balls weighing them down. kinda like a thermometer. they float within a mark on the glass when the salinity is correct. not the best tool, but does the job.
what would rust/lead affect?

 

Maybe its GFO? are you running any phosphate removers?

 

Inverts mostly I would think.

 

I've had a thermometer break in my aquarium with the little metallic balls and was told that they are not harmful. Now, mine did not rust which led me to beleieve that weren't made of iron. I've since had no ill effects. If yours have rusted, then they are problaby made of steel or iron. I would try to get as many out as possilbe, heavy metals aren't really good in a tank.

 

If you have lead that has leaked into your tank that is not good. First your mag won't pick it up. Second the longer it sit the hard it will be to find since it will start to corrode and blend in. I would call the company first & ask what's in it. Also, was it made to sit in your tank or just to use used in water samples? If it was made to be in a tank, it should of been non toxic (we hope). If it was made as a testing kit than it very well may be toxic, since sampled water should even be placed back into your system.

Also I HIGHLY suggest you use a Salinity Refractometer. They are one of most accurate period, unless you start going into controllers or monitors of course now you're talking $$$$. The best $50.00 I have ever spent. I take me longer to get a water sample then getting my salinity results.

 

It is made to put in whatever vessle you want I guess. In your garbage can full of water or your tank. Heck you could put it in your toilet if you wanted to check the SG. It must not be lead as the magnet has picked most of them up, so we should be ok.

I have a refractometer coming as we speak. Vertex Salinity Refractometer

Thanks for the help.

 

Glad to hear.. I love my refractometer. You won't regret it. Don't forget to calibrate it...