Canopy lid?

I have a canopy on top of my tank with 3 doors on the front and a lid on top that hinges up. I had the wooden lid off for a couple days while I was doing maintenence and my tank stayed alot cooler which helps alot. I was on the verge of getting a chiller but this way the tank maintains a nice 78 degrees...Question...Can I cut like 3 large holes in that lid and put it back on. Ofcourse now that it is off, the lighting comes out up onto the wall and ceiling. It seems to be the only draw back. Is the lid helping the light penetrate the water better? Doesn't seem to be the case but I thought I'd ask. Any other problems this could cause? Thanks

Btw there are 3 VHO bulbs with built in 180 degree reflectors

 

just drill to holes one on each side. place fans on bothe sides, one fan blowing in the tank one fan blowing out. some people use computer fans.

 

Yeah I was gonna do that anyway and then noticed how well it worked with the top off or at least vented. So I figured I could skip the fans and not add more electronics to my system. But that may be the better way to go anyway..Thank you

 

That is some great advise.

 

Just what I did !!!!
Drill 3 or 4 '' hole and install 2 fans [computer] powerful little bugger !!!
Fan -upper right of canopy !! [Grainger supplies] 110v need to add a pig tail!!
in order for the 2 fans to do their job[remove heat between top of tank & top of canopy] you should also cover the top of canopy !! But if you have a chiller I don't think fans are needed ???