what is the red liquid in the themometer ?

[puffer girl]

 Hello
         my thermometer broke tonight and the red liquid float on the top of the water , it' s smell like solvant . I change the water right away , 60% and now i wait . Do you think the fish are gone a make it , because they are not mind , i dont want them to die . Please tell me what else could i do .

Regards
Martine the puffer girl  

[PrincessFish]

Salut Martine,

       I don't have an answer but hopefully the new Chemist member will read your post.  I expect you may be ok though if the liquid floated and was isolated as opposed to dissolving into the water.  At least it wasn't mercury!! which used to be used in thermometers.
       Good luck!

pF

[KLKelly]

Good idea doing a big water change.  Maybe do another big one tomorrow.  I would also add fresh carbon in your filter if you have it. 
I looked this up just now.  A few sites mention that the thermometers are most likely alchohol based/red dye.  Here is one of them: http://www.oscarfish.com/broken-thermometer-mercury-vt23378.html
And another: http://www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=180527

I've never had this happen - so I don't know if the leak was toxic or not. 
I'm sure others will have some good advice.  I know I'm pulling out my thermometer now just in case.  Never thought about it breaking.

I wonder if you should add a dose of Prime too???

I hope all the fish do well.

[Laura]

I tried Googling info on thermometers, and some sites talked about spirits (alcohol base) in thermometers.  Were you able to skim the liquid off the surface of the tank in addition to the water change?

[puffer girl]

I tried Googling info on thermometers, and some sites talked about spirits (alcohol base) in thermometers.  Were you able to skim the liquid off the surface of the tank in addition to the water change?

   Hey
          yes i did pull out the red liquid on the top and the smell is all gone now , but i'm still  scared for the fish and my tank.

Martine

[puffer girl]

Good idea doing a big water change.  Maybe do another big one tomorrow.  I would also add fresh carbon in your filter if you have it. 
I looked this up just now.  A few sites mention that the thermometers are most likely alchohol based/red dye.  Here is one of them: http://www.oscarfish.com/broken-thermometer-mercury-vt23378.html
And another: http://www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=180527

I've never had this happen - so I don't know if the leak was toxic or not. 
I'm sure others will have some good advice.  I know I'm pulling out my thermometer now just in case.  Never thought about it breaking.

I wonder if you should add a dose of Prime too???

I hope all the fish do well.

Thank's those articles realy help me , i will sleep better . I think they gone a be alright after what i read .

Martine

[Shrimpy]

I think your fishies might be in trouble.   http://www.palmerwahl.com/Other%20Resources/MSDS%20Red%20Spirit%20Filled%20Low%20Range%20Thermometers%20HRW-040.pdf Looks like toluene. Not good stuff for fish.   Lots of carbon and water changes.  

[dpatte]

toluene is a solvent - like nail polish remover. I don't think it disolves in water - it likely floats. If you remove it from the surface then you have solved most of the problem. I'd lay paper towls over the surface a few times to draw up the surface to insure you pick it up. if you syphon - try to syphon the surface off.

[puffer girl]

Hey
      good morning , the fish is still alive    

    I will continu to watch them today , just to make sure .
 

Martine