Equipment Review and Discussion :: Removing the Turtle Dock.

[Pizza]

Just wondering, I'm using the Zoo-Med Turtle Dock (Large), and everytime I take it out of the tank to wash it, it's a real hassle. The suction cups won't come off, I usually have to yank on them hard, and in the process I splash water at myself or bang my elbow against my tank, or the cups come off the black bar and I have to put them back on every time.

Removing the cups on the bottom are especially difficult, since I can't see below the dock I have to maneuver my hand under the dock and pull them out. Also many times after I clean my dock and place it back in, I mess up and it ends up crooked, but the cups are already sucked in, so I have to go through it again. My fingers are too big to try and peel the cups off the glass, so I can't try peeling if you're wondering.

The first time I tried removing my dock, I accidently pulled so hard I ripped a small piece of the dock off, so are there any suggestions for removing the dock easier, or anything involving suction cups?

[Kallistos]

Yeah, I feel your paint (literally)

I take something flat and blunt, like a pen or an envelope opener and use it as a finger nail. Meaning I "jimmy" it under the suction cup and like pry it off. (you know what I mean)

[SpotsMama]

First off, you don't need to use those suckers on the bottom at all. Just leave them off - the dock works fine without them and it's safer for your turtle - less likely to get stuck and drown.

Then, try what RESowner34 said regarding the top two suckers.

[Pizza]

Okay then, I will. Good advice, thanks to both of you.

[Muirner]

If you squeeze the edges of the cup twards the middle, you will have a lot easier time i promise.

[Pizza]

Will do,

[industrial_girl_2000]

I have a plastic knife (one of those disposable ones that barely cut anything) that I keep handy & just push on one side of the cup to break the suction & that has worked really well.

[steve]

I normally use the technique Muirner mentioned though Kristin has a good idea for those hard to reach ones

[cam722]

I've used both those methods myself..
I have also slid the darn things up the side out of the water .. that acrylic dock has suction cups that I swear have a death grip on glass

[Turtle addict]

I also have heard about alot of smaller turtles getting stuck and drowning from those docks, I use them only for the tiny little ones and like Spotsmama I remove the bottom suctions as that allows the dock to swing out and they cannot get stuck. The top ones I remove the black bars from by popping them out then slide the cups to a corner...they pop off easy then. While I clean it I stick the suction cups back onto the top black bars.

[Pizza]

With all these suggestions, I'm pretty sure I have the upper hand over the dock the next time I clean it,