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What will happen if a thermometer breaks?
“When a mercury thermometer breaks, the mercury spilled starts vaporising immediately in temperatures of 22-24 degrees Celsius. The vapours can be inhaled by anyone in the vicinity. It goes straight into the lungs and into the blood and the brain. It is very dangerous.
Does thermometer go inside fish tank?
Where to Place a Thermometer in a Fish Tank? An aquarium thermometer must be placed on the opposite end of an aquarium heater. By placing the thermometer away from the aquarium heater, you will be able to get an accurate temperature reading of the entire fish tank.
Is the mercury in a thermometer dangerous?
The small silvery ball in a mercury thermometer can be dangerous if the glass breaks and the mercury is not cleaned up properly. The mercury will evaporate and can contaminate the surrounding air and become toxic to humans and wildlife.
What are the balls in aquarium thermometer?
The “balls” are simply ballast used to keep the thermometer righted. Typically they are made of lead or steel.
How do you fix a broken thermometer?
Slowly and carefully squeeze mercury onto a damp paper towel. Alternatively, use two pieces of cardboard paper to roll the mercury beads onto the paper towel or into the bag. Place the paper towel in a zip locking bag and secure. Make sure to label the bag as directed by your local health or fire department.
What should you do if you spill mercury?
Sprinkle sulfur powder over the contaminated area and rub it gently all over the surface and into the cracks with a paper towel. Sulfur powder binds with mercury. Use a paper towel dampened with water followed by wiping with another damp paper towel to clean up the sulfur and mercury.
What temp should my fish tank be?
76° to 80°F
A good range is 76° to 80°F (25° to 27°C). A few species need to be kept several degrees warmer, and some species require temperatures a few degrees cooler. A thermometer is vital. A stick-on type enables you to check the temperature whenever you look at the aquarium.
Are aquarium stick on thermometers accurate?
Stick ons tend not to be as accurate as other thermometers. Mainly because they are, as other’s pointed out, located on the outside of the tank, not being attached properly to the tank and outside influences.
What happens if a mercury thermometer breaks?
A broken mercury-containing thermometer can be toxic if the vapors are inhaled. The risk of poisoning from touching or swallowing mercury from a broken thermometer is low if appropriate clean-up measures are taken.
What happens if you touch mercury from a broken thermometer?
Mercury is a very toxic or poisonous substance that people can be exposed to in several ways. If it is swallowed, like from a broken thermometer, it mostly passes through your body and very little is absorbed. If you touch it, a small amount may pass through your skin, but not usually enough to harm you.
What liquid is in a fish tank thermometer?
The fluid inside the thermometer is a red dye mixed alcohol but the amount used should not be enough to cause harm to your fish. 15.