On the vertical idea, I read a post recently where they were talking about cutting the top piece curved and then adding cut vertical pieces.  The image is that the same way your mouth is curved and your teeth are vertical but they fit the curve. 

Another idea is that since the curved part doesn't bear any weight it can be made of a much thinner piece of nice plywood.  Soak that piece and glue/ nail it.  Since the curve isn't too severe it isn't much of a stretch. 

Now I havn't actually done any of these things myself. 

Connie

If you have log furniture make a curved stand that has vertical pieces of logs on the front that continue up to the hood.  As long as the logs were small it would be no problem, you may need some chinking, but i think it woould look cool.  I could use some help on the stand for my 90g, we could probably knock them both out in a day with an extra set of hands.  See if you can source raw posts about 2" in diameter.  The rest can be plywood and 2x lumber.

Fax