Broken hydrometer in pump

[girodave]

I need help. I just put my glass hydrometer in my sump and the 1 1/2" bulkhead that is attached to my pump sucked it in. The pump made a wierd clicking noise, so I unplugged it. I detached the pump and found the hydrometer with the end broken. The red temperature fluid line was not broken. but some of the little (lead?) balls are missing. The tank ran for about twenty seconds. Do I need to worry?? The tank has nothing but sand and salt water in it. I just set it up. Thank for helping!!!!

 

[tazdevil]

I don't remember if the balls are lead or mercury. Yes worry. Find those balls and get them out. As to whether your water is safe or not at the moment, I have no idea (depends on what-if anything the bllas did after they where released from their containment).

 

[reefNewbie]

I had the same **** happen to me, damn those hydrometers. As long as the red mercury didnt leak out your safe. Just get rid of all the balls and yuou should be fine. the balls are not lead, i forgot what they are though.

 

[girodave]

I found out that the ball are not lead. I took my Magnet glass cleaner to chech if the balls were magnetic and they were!! So, I took the magnet and hovered over the sand and collected a ton of balls. I started thinking of the water main I had replaced a month ago, and decided that if the water coming out of that pipe never hurt any of my tanks, a few metal balls that will corrode in the salt water, will not kill the tank. The pipe I replaced was a 3/4" galvanized pipe with only a 1/4" hole left. GROSS!!! My poor fish. I am over my panic now, thanks!!!

I do want to find out what the ball really are...



Thanks,
Dave

 

[das75]

Don't think I would be to concerned about the red stuff either. Just alcohol, not mercury and volume is small.