Ideas for a canopy lift

[68sting]

I have a friend who needs to come up with a way to raise a light canopy above his 11' fish tank. I thought someone over here might have a few ideas. Here's a picture of the tank and an idea using counter weights someone else came up with. Let me know if you think of something.

 

[TonyNo]

I have seen large tanks lit by hanging halogen spots (fixed) that looked and worked well. Something like this.

 

[CollinR]

How much stroke does he need?

surplus center has 100/107/500/1000lb 12VDC linear actuators right now.

The 107lb units have an integrated potentiometer so you can feedback hieght status for that BSR cool factor effect. However the stroke isn't so great with a max of 11.81" for $89.95. You could combine it with that pulley concept though as I doubt the hood weights 100lbs.

The units without the potentiometers go up to 24" @ 1000lbs for around $300.

 

[Neurorad]

Isn't there a duct already in the soffit?

Edit - oh, I looked closer. Attached to bottom of soffit.

 

[68sting]

I have seen large tanks lit by hanging halogen spots (fixed) that looked and worked well. Something like this.

This will be a reef tank and will need some intense lighting. He's going with T5 (fluoresent) lights.

How much stroke does he need?

surplus center has 100/107/500/1000lb 12VDC linear actuators right now.

The 107lb units have an integrated potentiometer so you can feedback hieght status for that BSR cool factor effect. However the stroke isn't so great with a max of 11.81" for $89.95. You could combine it with that pulley concept though as I doubt the hood weights 100lbs.

The units without the potentiometers go up to 24" @ 1000lbs for around $300.

I like it. I'll show him these and see if he thinks they will work.