A tube removal system, comprising: (a) a rack of tubes comprising: (i) a rack having a plurality of wells and an upper surface portion disposed about the plurality of wells, the plurality of wells comprising openings in the upper surface portion; and a skirt disposed about the plurality of wells, the skirt extending from the upper surface portion; and (ii) a plurality of tubes disposed in the well;; (b) a tube rack tool configured to receive the rack of tubes, the tube rack tool comprising: (i) a base having a surface configured to engage a bottom surface of the plurality of tubes when the rack of tubes is received by the base, the base having a receiving area sized for receiving the rack of tubes, the base having a surface for engaging the plurality of tubes disposed in the wells of the rack when the rack of tubes is disposed in the receiving area; and (ii) a top piece configured to engage the upper surface portion of the rack without engaging a top surface of the plurality of tubes when the plurality of tubes are disposed in the wells, and is configured for retaining the rack of tubes in engagement with the surface of the base, wherein the top piece has one or more legs (60, 61) configured to engage the upper surface portion of the rack, such that pressure applied to the top piece toward the surface of the base dislodges the plurality of tubes from the rack, the top piece configured for retaining the rack of tubes in engagement with the surface of the base while providing pressure on the rack. (a) a rack of tubes comprising: (i) a rack having a plurality of wells and an upper surface portion disposed about the plurality of wells, the plurality of wells comprising openings in the upper surface portion; and a skirt disposed about the plurality of wells, the skirt extending from the upper surface portion; and (ii) a plurality of tubes disposed in the well;; (i) a rack having a plurality of wells and an upper surface portion disposed about the plurality of wells, the plurality of wells comprising openings in the upper surface portion; and a skirt disposed about the plurality of wells, the skirt extending from the upper surface portion; and (ii) a plurality of tubes disposed in the well;; (b) a tube rack tool configured to receive the rack of tubes, the tube rack tool comprising: (i) a base having a surface configured to engage a bottom surface of the plurality of tubes when the rack of tubes is received by the base, the base having a receiving area sized for receiving the rack of tubes, the base having a surface for engaging the plurality of tubes disposed in the wells of the rack when the rack of tubes is disposed in the receiving area; and (ii) a top piece configured to engage the upper surface portion of the rack without engaging a top surface of the plurality of tubes when the plurality of tubes are disposed in the wells, and is configured for retaining the rack of tubes in engagement with the surface of the base, wherein the top piece has one or more legs (60, 61) configured to engage the upper surface portion of the rack, such that pressure applied to the top piece toward the surface of the base dislodges the plurality of tubes from the rack, the top piece configured for retaining the rack of tubes in engagement with the surface of the base while providing pressure on the rack. (i) a base having a surface configured to engage a bottom surface of the plurality of tubes when the rack of tubes is received by the base, the base having a receiving area sized for receiving the rack of tubes, the base having a surface for engaging the plurality of tubes disposed in the wells of the rack when the rack of tubes is disposed in the receiving area; and (ii) a top piece configured to engage the upper surface portion of the rack without engaging a top surface of the plurality of tubes when the plurality of tubes are disposed in the wells, and is configured for retaining the rack of tubes in engagement with the surface of the base, wherein the top piece has one or more legs (60, 61) configured to engage the upper surface portion of the rack, such that pressure applied to the top piece toward the surface of the base dislodges the plurality of tubes from the rack, the top piece configured for retaining the rack of tubes in engagement with the surface of the base while providing pressure on the rack.