Is there any special way to remove a heat mat????

[Lover of 8 legs]

I have a heat mat on the bottom of one of my Exo Terra's and I wanted to remove it and attach it to the side. Does anyone know of a way to do this without damaging the mat???

 

[Cirith Ungol]

So is the mat glued to the bottom? If yes it all depends on what type of glue is used... I'd guess it is not possible to pull the thing off... but I don't know.

 

[Lover of 8 legs]

Yes its a typical Exoterra small mat. It has a sticky side that adheres to the glass. I've unplugged it to let it cool so that it might be easier.

 

[Cirith Ungol]

I mean... if you can't slowly tear it of with your bare hands I don't see how your gonna be able to get it off without going to more extreme means.

Is there a way for you to turn the entire tank onto its side and use it that way (don't know how your standard exo terra tanks look like)?

 

[Nerri1029]

You just have to be extra careful NOT to bend it too much or crease it at ALL..

try some rubbing alcohol wipes ( first aid kit ) on on edge to start it off.

good luck

 

[psionix]

3m adhesive remover.

a heatgun/blowdryer will help loosen up the adhesive too.

also if it's on flat glass you can use a razorblade in combination of all the above.

 

[Jmadson13]

yep was going to suggest a solvent of some sort as well. If you don't want to deal with anything that has fumes perhaps mineral spirits.

 

[BLS Blondi]

A Possibility

I have had much success letting it cool, then use a razor blade to slide in between the glass and the heater. I have done this many times and 100% success

 

[gphx]

The cleaning solutions based upon orange oil do a great job of loosening adhesives as well. The same cleaners will also remove most 'permanent' marker writing from vials and vial caps as well.