Help with AGA canopy

[Richocet83]

I just picked up another pair of T5 retros and can't figure out how to get all the lights in my old AGA canopy. Anybody with experience, I would love to hear from you. I have 4 T5 lamps all with SLRs as well as five ecoxotic panorama modules. I have no idea how to fit this all under my old AGA Modern Series Canopy (standard 75gal size). The thing that is killing me, as I'm sure has bugged everyone using this canopy, is the support strip that runs down the center of the canopy from front to back. I was thinking of cutting the center strip out but wanted to see if there were better suggestions out there. I'll try to take a picture when I get home to illustrate my dilemma.

Thanks in advance!

-Ryan

 

[Richocet83]

Here are some pics of the canopy in question.... Anybody have a good idea of how I can fit 4 54w T5s in here? I'm still considering cutting that center brace but would like to hear from anyone who might have a better idea.

Thanks!

 

[pwoller]

Instead of completely cutting the brace out can you use a router to cut channels in it for the reflectors?

 

[Richocet83]

I'm not sure what that would accomplish, I was hoping to put the T5s on that piece that lifts up..... Unfortunately, that's not gonna work either because the lamps are 1/4" longer than that lid.... Back to the drawing board.....