In need of URGENT HELP!!!!!

[Coasting]

.... There are numerous things they can be.
A simple google search brings up numerous answers.
Looks like the most common thing to use as weights is steel.
However I would be more concerned about the broken glass harming any human who sticks their hand in there, or the fish.

[SoloSK71]

They are alcohol and steel. I have the same ones and found that out when mine decided to float free and the weighted end stuck to my mag float cleaner.

Charles

[hillegom]

I just checked my three thermometers. All of them are red, ie alcohol
Two have steel pellets on the bottom, one has led.
As mentioned, I would take all the broken glass out and get a magnet and run it over the gravel. You will soon see if its lead or steel.

[jason604]

Originally Posted by hillegom

Oh, just the thermometers weights.
So the thermometer is still showing the temp?
If it was filled with alcohol then the liquid would have been red
If mercury, a metalic colour.

Ok so I can confirm its metal balls. I only foun 1 ball but I'm sure I can drag a magnet across the sand bed n grab the rest. For the glass I can't seem to find it. Hope my sand sifting fish didn't eat it!!! Do I still need to do a large water change if its just metal balls?

[Wayne]

I wouldn't

[pinkreef]

my tang broke mine and it had no ill effects

[SteveConn]

The balls are magnetic.. My guess it they're iron.. I dont think that would be a problem for your tank. Magnetic metals are iron, nickel, cobalt, gadolinium, neodymium and samarium (I googled it!), Nickel and the others are more expensive. Call it inadvertent iron dosing.