Canopy Design

[gpkozmp]

Well here is everything the best I could do on paint on the computer.
This is the canopy design I have thought up that I am thinking of doing for my new 100 gallon setup. It is going to have T5's x 8 of them, 4 blue and 4 white, plus it is going to have two moonlighting fixture's that have a 3 foot shining span.
The actaul canopy is going to be about a foot tall and there are going to be two doors that open upwards on the front. Two fans on top, and two on the sides for air flow. The lights are going to be staggered.
The front of the canopy and the top are going to be fixed to each other and there is going to be a hinge on the backside and then there are going to be some extra hinges that will lock. The top and front will then be able to be lifted completely, (angle unknown) and that will help make work easier on the tank when it is done.
I have attached photo's and they might get a little confusing but at least I know what I am talking about. If you have any question's ask away.

 

[scsinet]

Look into gas springs instead of locking hinges. This type of canopy design is great and I use it myself, but I was always worried about my hand slipping when closing or opening and the lid slamming down, causing the bulbs to smash into the tank or the tank to break under the impact.
Gas springs solved that for me. Now, if I slip, the canopy either closed hard, but not slamming, or it pops back up to full open depending on where it was when I let go.
Google SPD Hardware. They sell stainless steel gas springs and their associated mounting hardware.