Canopy Question(s) - egg crate / warping

Couple of questions that I've been unable to find answer to over the past week or so.

For my 75 gallon tank, I've had an oak canopy for a number of years and the top left & right corners have just started to warp out when a lot of condensation builds up in the canopy. In an effort to prevent this, I took the canopy off (the boards go back to normal after the wood dries out) and resealed it with a spar varnish. I've also put in wood blocks in the corners which I glued on and also installed stainless brackets to prevent the wood from pulling apart. Should this be adequate to prevent future splitting?

Secondly, I've read a lot about gas exchange and was wondering how to solve the problem I have. Right now, I have all-glass tops that fit on top of the tank and would prefer to use the "egg-crate" method to enhance the gas exchange. However, when I went out and got some crate from the local lowes and installed it I noticed the following morning that a substantial amount of splashing had occured overnight. I can't imagine continual splashing on the lights is a great idea. My canopy is enclosed and sits about 6 inches above the water level. I'll be installing a retrofit VHO setup next week with waterproof end caps. Would I be better just using the glass to prevent excess splashing? Do I get enough gas exchange from my sump or is there another solution I'm not thinking of...besides building a new canopy lol?

 

hello and welcome to 3reef

I would cover the lights with a splash cover (they should be covered so water dont splash at all) and install a computer fan or something in the hood to help out with gas exchange .. imo

 

Good work on canopy. Sounds like that should to the job.

Just wondering why you need "tops" if you have a full canopy. You are right about gas exchange...you want it all as open as possible.

Some salt creep is inevitable, but easily wiped off on tank maintenace days. Unless you have like an airstone in tank, 6" should be far enough to keep creep to a minimum.