How to Remove a UTH!

HOW TO REMOVE A UTH (UNDER TANK HEATER)!

WARNING – This procedure is to be supervised by an adult and requires a WELL ventilated area. Because a chemical remover is being used in this procedure – the UTH is OFF.

1) Begin by flipping your tank over so the UTH can be easily removed. Place a towel under the tank to ensure no damage is done to the carpet/floor. It is wise to do this process in a bath tub or even a warm garage.

Materials needed:

- Goof Off Remover or Goo Gone. Goof off works very well.
- A spatula (plastic but not flimsy) or a putty spatula.
- Water in a bowl or spray bottle.
- A few rags or some really tough paper towel (shop towels work
great)
- A WELL ventilated area.
- Latex gloves are not suggested as they WILL MELT if in contact
with the remover; the remover may cause slight irritation of the
skin so remember to wash your hands frequently.

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2) Begin by squeezing the Goof Off remover around the UTH. Allow to sit for a few minutes.

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3) Wedge the spatula under the UTH. DO NOT LIFT! You will damage the UTH if you lift while wedging the spatula under the UTH. Use a gentle right to left motion, keeping the spatula flat against the glass. If there is resistance, use more Goof Off.

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4) Once the UTH is removed, use the spatula to GENTLY remove the glue from the UTH. Soak a rag/paper towel in water and wipe the UTH clear of the chemical remover and glue. It is O.K if glue remains on the UTH.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/missi182/SBydYp...JPG?imgmax=576

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5) To re-use the UTH, cover it in Aluminium Foil Tape. This will allow even heat transfer when it is re-used and allows the UTH to be moved when ever needed.

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6) Squeeze a small amount of Goof Off on the surface of the tank, and gently “squeegee” the remaining glue off. Spray with water or wipe clean with a damp rag/paper towel.

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7) CLEAN YOUR TANK – WELL! Rinse VERY WELL with COOL water first – hot water and chemicals create fumes. Wash the tank (I prefer good old dish soap) with warm water and rinse well again.

8) Your done!


Please feel free to ask any questions about this procedure or point out anything I have missed. Thank-you Joanna for looking this over before I posted it. I hope this helps someone out!

Missi.

wow. gr8 post. :gj:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DSGB

wow. gr8 post. :gj:

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Thanks!!

I have seen it posted many times that once a uth is applied to a tank it can't come off without being ruined. This thread should benefit many people.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dsirkle

I have seen it posted many times that once a uth is applied to a tank it can't come off without being ruined. This thread should benefit many people.

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Thanks! I have tested the UTH and it heated up evenly. I am going to check it in a few hours and see if it is still going well.

VERY cool "How To!" I've moved it into the Caging Forum and "stickied" it to the top!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JLC

VERY cool "How To!" I've moved it into the Caging Forum and "stickied" it to the top!

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Thanks a million Judy!!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dsirkle

I have seen it posted many times that once a uth is applied to a tank it can't come off without being ruined. This thread should benefit many people.

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I have just peeled them off and covered the sticky part with foil tape and reused them with out a problem.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mr. Constrictor

I have just peeled them off and covered the sticky part with foil tape and reused them with out a problem.

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Your pretty lucky then!:) If you bend them, they tend to short out entirely or in spots. At the pet-store UTHs run about $29.99 - $40 (well around here) so for that price I wouldn't want to break mine.

there not cheap here either. i took them off when i switched from tanks to cages. i use flex watt on the cages but when i'm cleaning out there cages i put them in a tub and throw an uth under the tub to keep them warm while cleaning.

wow thats geat thanks so much

Thanks that helps a lot. :gj:

Happy to help:)

I have also pulled them off VERY carefully a couple times before. I was even able to stick them right onto another tank with the original adhesive. After moving them a couple times the adhesive stops working though. None have ever been damaged. I am sure not everyone has luck or wishes to take the risk with that method though so I think its great that you made this guide :gj:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mr. Constrictor

I have just peeled them off and covered the sticky part with foil tape and reused them with out a problem.

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same.

It does say directly on many UTH's not to remove them or bend them what-so-ever, and as I mentioned - I like having fully operational and reliable equipment, so I would prefer not to simply peel them off and break them. But to each their own, and if it has worked for you, awesome. I don't know how I would have gotten the glue off my tank had I not done the removal this way, but some may not care about some glue on the bottom of their tank.

This whole process took approx 10 minutes - and to me it was worth the effort, for a clean tank and operational equipment:)

good informative post ... but why would glue a uth onto ur tank ... i just use packing tape ... so i can take it off n give the tank a good all around scrub

WOW very good way to remove them. I think the best way to use and preserve them easily is to leave that white plastic paper stuff on it forever, this way you can move it easily...

I may have to do this, How would I attach the uth to a tub after covering with foil tape?

Hi,

I would use more foil tape - that should hold it really well.


dr del

why not use a heat gun and a big puddy kniefe heat guns are amazing i suggest getting one

Quote:

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Originally Posted by missi182

I don't know how I would have gotten the glue off my tank had I not done the removal this way, but some may not care about some glue on the bottom of their tank.

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Razor blades are cheap and handy for removing glue from smooth glass surfaces. ;)

thats awesome thanks a bunch! ive been racking my brain to figure out how to do that.

I just wanted to throw a coment in here as well. First of all, this is a great post, as it can save money for plenty of people. However, I just wanted to let everyone know that we circumvent ever needing this thread by using the following application method. We have never used the adhesive on the UTH to apply it to the tank. We always leave the backing on the UTH and stick it to the tank using 2" clear packing tape. That way if we need to move it in the future, we just remove the tape and stick it to another cage.

I hope that helps,

Super exellent idea.:gj::gj::gj:
I would just give one small word of caution in this. Even for the adults. Goof Off and Goo Gone both remove stuff from other stuff. As seen by the disolving of the glue, and the DISOLVING OF THE LATEX GLOVE. They will remove finishes from furniture, color from carpet, some caulk from joints, etc. and accidents do happen, so be very very careful about where you use it. One spill and you might just ruin something nice. Then you will be doing this:taz:

Thanks for the input everyone. I agree 100% that is easiest not attach a UTH to the tank at all - and tape it on so it can be removed whenever needed. Goof off and goo gone are both very corrosive as I warned in the original post - if it is used it should always be in a ventilated area with nothing that can be damaged, such as a garage (as mentioned).

Worked like a charm, took less than 15 minutes.

TIP: I used the water based Goof Off and it was much easier to work with than the oil based, no offensive odor and easy clean up.

I've got to thank you for this post. I'm super excited to try this today so I can take my UTHs off of the old tanks and put them on the new cages :)

that is good to know being as i actually broke the bottom of a ten gallon trying to get one of these things off:mad:, luckily i had another one to put my snake in:), but still, i broke a tank, and a uth:stupidme:

This is such a good idea! I definitely will try this in the future. I did want to put my :twocents: in, though. I have successfully removed UTH's with a hairdryer and a little patience. It's pretty much my go-to method. I start at the end where the cord meets the pad, and keeping the dryer CONSTANTLY moving, gently pull the UTH up. Trick is not to force anything, and to be patient with it. It's easy, takes about 3 minutes, and pretty much everyone has a hair dryer.

Ok, I'm new, so, forgive me, but....

Packing tape? I'm just going to assume the pad never gets hot enough to set fire to the packing tape?

Without having seen this or done it myself, that sounds really iffy.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BWyant

Ok, I'm new, so, forgive me, but....

Packing tape? I'm just going to assume the pad never gets hot enough to set fire to the packing tape?

Without having seen this or done it myself, that sounds really iffy.

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If your Uth is being regulated with a thermostat, it would not get hot enough to do any damage.

Can I use just plain kitchen tin foil, or do I need to use foil tape?

Thanks so much for sharing!!