[Maxx]

Good idea, to get the lights to pull up as you open the lid!

I can see how you would think this...I wasnt able to color the spacer bar for the hand crank in...paint was being funny...
Not a bad idea in and of itself though...hmmmmmm...

I am really thinking about a fixed height hood though because I don't think I want the halides closer to the water then they are now and don't have the room to put them any higher.

The concept here is to have the hood fixed height, but the lights themselves are able to raise and lower. The reason for this is to gain easy access to the tank while working/playing/feeding etc w/o burning your self. It also allows for better air flow over the tank, doesnt trap heat in, helping out heat related issues w/ MH's.
Also as a final benefit, it allows for easy acclimation of corals to increased lighting. Put the coral where you want it, raise the lights up to lower the amount of lighting the corals are getting, and then shorten the photo period a bit. Corals will need to adapt when first placed in a new environment, and when bulbs are changed out on a regular basis.

would your hood be open enough so fish would jump out?

Yeah, thats why you put something like glass over the top w/ a small space in the back to allow for air exchange, (altho if your sump is operating properly, its a moot point), or egg crate over the top of the entire tank, to keep fish that like to "explore" the carpet in....

Thanks for the great drawings.

hey no problem. Its kinda fun actually to think of new ways to do this stuff. The most recent drawing isnt the greatest design. I can see how it would be cumbersome to make and more than fun if you guys ever moved it....but it is a way to do it. The important thing to remember here is that there are many ways to do this. Too many people get wrapped around the axle and cant think outside the box. Find the solution that works for you and go w/ it.
My current set up is the reef that shouldnt be...its like a frankenreef w/ the plumbing being "made to work" and the canopy looking like it was salvaged from a third grade arts and crafts project. But it does work, and I've learned alot about what NOT to do. So everything works out in the end. Have fun w/ it, and good luck,
Nick