thermometer leaking the red stuff. toxic?

i purchased a hagen thermometer (the package said it was plastic) and when i attached the suction cup, the little bulb that holds the red stuff busted and leaked smelly red stuff all over. my question is, isnt that stuff toxic, it sure smelled like it. my lfs said it shouldnt be toxic, but didnt knoe for sure.
any input would be greatly appreciated. THANKS

 

I believe that red stuff is just colored alcohol
................................................................. John

 

Not sure, but did you leak it in the tank?

 

It's not mercury or anything but I wouldn't spend much time handling it. And defiantly keep it away from the tank

J

 

the bulb busted in my tank as i was attaching it to the glass. its been a couple of hours and the two damsels that are in there seem fine. i did a quick 20% water change, so hopefully i wont have to replace the water completely. i wouldnt be so worried, but i have a lionfish and some misc. inverts coming in the mail on monday.

 

Water change was a good idea. Are you running any carbon? If you are, you might want to replace the old with some new tomorrow. Or add some for a while. That might help.

 

Hi I just checked to make sure and the red liquid is alcohol
http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/gen01/gen01583.htm

 

hope everything goes well KARMA

 

will a few drops of colored alcohol hurt my water? the damsels still seem fine. plus i am running carbon. so i should be ok. we will see when my shipment arrives. the lionfish should be ok cause they are pretty hardy, but some of the inverts might not fare too well if the stuff is toxic. anyhow thanx for everyones replies.

 

I can't say with certainty but my hunch is they will be fine.
(You may want to start another thread about mixing damsels and lionfish though. )