A question for those with canopies???

[Chipie]

I'm just finishing my canopy for my new 20g long and need some ideas about what to use to hold the front door opened when i want to work in the tank. The full front of the canopy opens. I went to the local hardware store and all they have is made of brass. Would that be safe to use? What else could i use? What are you guys using?

[fishgate]

I made the top of mine flip up. Brass has copper so it might be ok, but copper of course is not good for the tank. Not sure of your design. Is the front hinged and you just need something to keep it when you have it raised? Can you post a pic?

[Jenzifer]

you can get stainless steal hardware..do you have a home depot?

[Chipie]

Here's a few pictures of the canopy. It's the front door that i would need something to keep it open when i have my arm in the tank :)


http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o76/Chipie30-06/002-2.jpg


http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o76/Chipie30-06/005-2.jpg

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o76/Chipie30-06/007-2.jpg


No home depot around here. Closest would be a 7 hour drive. It's nice to live in a small town by the ocean but sometime can be a real pain in .... well you know.

[Tarkin]

Just notch that little piece of wood you're using (or make a nicer one) to hold it up now so that it "locks" onto the frame of your tank, and sits in a female type of notch on the lid... Easy peasy...

later
C

[fishgate]

Looks like you use a piano hinge. Is it possible for you to use one of those hinges that they use for toy chests designed for soft closing and will click into place when open? If not, I 2nd the just use a pole like you would on a car hood.

[Chipie]

Just notch that little piece of wood you're using (or make a nicer one) to hold it up now so that it "locks" onto the frame of your tank, and sits in a female type of notch on the lid... Easy peasy...

later
C

Hum... i'm trying to understand what you mean but it's kind of hard. Have a picture somewhere that would show what you mean?

[Tarkin]

Sure do something like this... Hell you could just get a rope and have it attach to some sort of "handle" on the part that flips up, and have another knob in back, and loop it over the knob to hold it up and back.

IE put a "knob" on the inside of your lid, and get a rope with a Loop on both ends, have another knob at the back of the canopy, and put each loop around one of the knobs.

Or order some Stainless steel bits online, use a bolt/nut for a hinge for your prop stick like you're using now to attach it to the hood.

There are tons of ways to do this:)

Later
C

[Chipie]

Well i think i'll use the rope idea. I'm attaching a handle on the front door anyway :)
Thanks

[stormrider27]

I used these: http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=84591&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=11151&storeNum=50667&subdeptNum=50680&classNum=50683