Ideas to keep a canopy lid open?

[~TG~]

The tank that i have is one i got from Brian (Greenmako) a few years ago and it has a lid that lifts right up from the center like the hood of a car and it was kept open by these two small cylnders one on each side...but the pressure or force of those little cylinders was so strong and i think meant to keep things open so there are these heavy duty slide locks on top to keep it closed or from popping open by itself.. i loved this concept because once you opened it, you were free to move around the tank without being afraid of it slamming down on you...

Well the cylinders went out a few months ago and i took them off to buy the replacements but they are unidentifiable so i have no clue where they are from... I have been to all of the auto part stores and ive bought about 5-6 diff kinds of cylinders but none of them seem to have the same pressure to keep this heavy lid up...

I've done the old stick trick where i pop it up like a hood of an old car that used that little metal rod to keep it open but im using a wooden stick and im aftraid of putting so much pressure on the lip of the tank so in the meantime i've been benchpressing about 60lbs when i feed my fish... :whew:and thats HALF of the problem ..lol The other half is that the tank is very VERY TALL (6-7 ft?) SOOO im benchpressing 60 lbs with one hand, feeding with the other all while on a step ladder.... lol


so i was wondering maybe im looking in the wrong dept and its not cars? Im not sure where he got them and im about to pm him to see if he remembers but I just thought i'd post here to see if anyone knows of any cylinders that i would do the trick or any neat DIY tricks you all may have or suggestions on something i could try ...

help me :nailbiting:

Thanks - Thelma

[allan]

I'm sticking around to see what the answer is. I use a wooden prop built with a top and bottom daddoed to fit the tank lip and the edge of the canopy. This way I don't have to worry about knocking it off and De my head from the Capatating.

The problems I've expereinced with this is that I am unable to reach in and pull something out and move it to the other side of the tank without either using my left hand as I pass around/behind the prop, or pulling it out of the tank and splashing grade A salt water over my floor.

I looked for props but never found anything.

That was my short way of saying "sticking around for an answer" :)

[Mr Cob]

Did you try sending Greenmako a pm? He is our site admin and is on the site regularly keeping us up and running. Perhaps he will remember and point you in the right direction.

[Gseclipse02]

put a car trunk shock on it lol

[~TG~]

Yeah ive PM'd him...

the thing is i seem to recall something about them being some sort of shocks? gas shocks? or something having something to do with motorcyles? at this point who knows... this is what happens when you dont pay attention and your just staring at the tank :hypnotyized: anxious to get it home...lol i'll try posting a pic of them later tonight...

[alton]

A shot in the dark but, Croft Trailers sells replacement pistons for the Weatherguard tool box lids which sounds like what you are looking for?

[Big_Pun]

got a pic of the old ones

[hobogato]

you might check with woodcraft - they have some that are used for wooden trunks that might work.

[hobogato]

btw, nice to see you posting again thelma :)

[Europhyllia]

agree with Ace. We have a kids toy box with the things you are talking about (so little fingers don't get slammed by the lid)
might get something similar in door hardware?

[txmike]

try hear i love mcmaster they sell anything you can think of

http://www.mcmaster.com/#gas-springs/=667912

Mike

[~TG~]

Thanks Ace :)
I know i've been MIA for a very loooooong time...
After my tank died right before my eyes it was just so depressing that i had to take a break.. a 2 YEAR break...lol I left it running with just the LR and one fish but its time to get back in the saddle and im ready to go at it again...lights - halides - action!!


Brian replied and said this is similar to what he got
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...#ht_1786wt_939 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...#ht_1786wt_939)


believe it or not after closely inspecting the cylinder i was able to see a faded imprint of a website!! its
http://www.spdhardware.com/

now i just need to figure out which one it is!!

I highly recommend these.. they are thin, sleek and fit just right without taking up to much room and the best part is you dont have to fuss with or worry about your canopy falling on you. :whew:

Thelma