Under Hood Light frame made from extruded Aluminum

[GrimReefersDad]

Hello, I'm currently working on my tank build. It is a Planet 260g with hood. I'm actually mounting the lights to the wall behind the hood, placing ventilation fans at rear, and venting the top of the wood hood. I'm currently building the extruded aluminum frame that will hold the lights and the fans. I'm using 2020 mounted to the wall and braced with cross bracing between arms. Also using hardware to transfer load back into wall. Will be anchored in 4 places to wood in wall. It will extend out 25" where the light bar furthest from wall will be mounted. Total weight hung from frame will be 60lbs. Not counting the frame itself. My question is, I'm considering coming off the wall 3 inches and placing locking hinge that will allow me to raise and lower the lights to the wall when working on the tank. However, that hinge is made from a zinc alloy. Is that something that should be considered given is proximity to water? Am I over engineering this considering I can remove the wood top to increase my access should i needed given I'm freeing it up?

 

[Troylee]

Should be fine.. I did mine the same way and skinned it with aluminum for a clean look! I have a cable holding up the long end 6ft away.

 

[GrimReefersDad]

Should be fine.. I did mine the same way and skinned it with aluminum for a clean look! I have a cable holding up the long end 6ft away.

Thanks for the feedback. Also, love what you did here. looks very sleek.

 

[jrawk1120]

Should be fine.. I did mine the same way and skinned it with aluminum for a clean look! I have a cable holding up the long end 6ft away.

I like how your support cable is almost hidden. Looks really nice