Aquarium Canopy Lid Support

[MRE]

So, I built my own canopy for my 150 gallon tank a while ago but one thing I never added was any sort of support to hold the access lid open, which is a 6ft by 18" piece of plywood. Usually I just raise the lid and it sits upright resting on the top of the tank but a couple of times I have had it fall and hit me when I wasn't paying attention, which needless to say was not pleasant. If it ever fell when I wasn't there to catch it, it could potentially crack the tank, so I need to find a real solution rather than holding it up and hoping for the best.

I was wondering what you guys with similar setups use for a lid support to hold it up and maybe ease it down.

 

[SantaMonica]

A gas pressure strut.

 

[wcgunns]

2nd the gas pressure strut.

 

[millerkid519]

3rd the gas pressured strut. Go to harbor freight or a princes auto you will find some my suggestion is to do one strut on both sides as it will hold it even and keep it from sagging on one end

 

[DN328]

Aside from the strut, how about changing the hinge to door hinges exceeding 90degrees when open? This would eliminate the door closing on its own. In addition, I'd ad some cabinet door stoppers that slow the door from slamming. Just some ideas.

 

[boldtogether]

Getting the struts right may be tricky....they are rated for different weights and travel.
DN328 has a good suggestion and that is the way I would go as well. Maybe some rubber or felt bump stops would cushion a dropped lid.

 

[MRE]

I appreciate the feedback guys. I went ahead and ordered some struts based on your suggestions; one for each side. I'll have to look into the cabinet door stoppers too.

 

[xraycer]

Its ghetto style, but how about just a simple bungee cord?

 

[Ihsnshaik]

Why not new hinges so it can just go all the way back and rest there.

 

[DN328]

I appreciate the feedback guys. I went ahead and ordered some struts based on your suggestions; one for each side. I'll have to look into the cabinet door stoppers too.

This is what I was referring to consider. When the door does come down, this will reduce the slamming. You may need to add about four equally spaced. It's available at any hardware store. Also add some felt like boldtogether suggested. I have these that I'll to my fish stand wrap so the door doesn't slam into the stand.