Moving Tank - Removing BTA from Glass

[Anonymous]

I have to move my 55 to another room this weekend to prepare for the new carpet that is going into the room it is in. I have moved the tank before, so I am not too concern about the procedures as I have done this before.

The question I have is with moving my BTA. He is attached firmly to the back wall of the tank, about a third of the way up and has been there for a good 6 months without moving, so I know he likes his spot. If he was on a rock, it would be easy enough to take him out.

What would be the best method to remove him for this short trip? Will he possibly start to move down on his own as the water level drops? Or is it even possible, which I highly doubt, to leave him exposed for a short time until the water is replaced? I know I want to take care not to damage the foot as this can lead to its demise. Any input is appreciated.

 

[trigger1]

SK
I did this last year when moving one of my 4 tanks. Just get a few icecubes place it in a ziplock bag and place it on the outside where bta is attached. Give it a minute or two and he'll be much easier to peel off.

 

[jamesw]

Hi SK,

The anemone will NOT move down on it's own in the short duration that it will take to drain the tank.

Since the anemone is on the glass it should be pretty easy to remove. Just GENTLY "peel" it off with your fingers. Once you get it started coming off it should be pretty easy...it's the getting started that's hard. Look for an area where the foot is already coming up a bit and gently try to push it from there.

Alternatively, you can try heating the glass with a hairdryer on the outside of the tank where the anemone is positioned. This might cause the anem. to move. I have never personally tried this method, but hear it works.

Cheers
James

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the tips. I think I will go with the ice cube method. I have tried to test his foot before and couldn't find any loose spots. The hair dryer methods worries me a little bit (heating up the glass and all). I am moving the tank tomorrow morning, so I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[Anemone]

You have no need for the ice cube method. Simply use your thumbnail to gently pry the anemone off the glass. Once you get it started, it's not hard to get it off. Much easier to remove grom a nice flat surface, where you can get your nail underneath, than a variable surface like a rock.

Kevin

 

[Henry1]

You may have already moved your tank by now.
Nevertheless, I'd like to share this method.

This works well when its footed on the glass.

Use a pastic sheet, those the LFS use to bag fish will do.
Slip the sheet underneath the an. foot gently and see it coming off.

cheers

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the advice all. I tried to get underneath him simly using my fingernail to begin with and couldn't get it started. I then used the ice cube method blueface mentioned. After several minutes, he began to move slightly which made it much easier to get underneath him. I was then able to slowly remove him from the glass and move my tank adn the rest of its inhabitants. So far he has taken up a spot which I know I prefer him in, and I hope he does as well.