Ken, Great looking tank. IKM so JEALOUS! give it time, dont rush it and that will be an awesome tank. Look into making that coil like I told ya. i guarantee it will work. I dont have mine hooked up right now cause im in need of a new pump, but they work wonders
as for the screens for the openings, im sure you can find some stainless that will work. but you may want to try putting a small cnunk of that screen on a piece of paper or something and see if the lights melt it. the ymay not beign they are mounted a good ways above it.