Hi R2Rers! I am new to reef world and this is my first post.
After seeing a lot of diy fish tank stand by 2*4 thread/video, I decided also do one for my Aqueous 35 gallon cube. To be honest, this was my first time with the lumber, so I began to search how to use power tool right before I began to build it. After 2 hours studying for how to use power tools and 2 hour drilling, the stand looks like this:
And then the problem came to me. Since I asked Home Depot employee to help me cut the lumber into desired size, there is some small difference in the length, about 3mm. Therefore, there is a gap between support wood and the top frame:
I guess most of people who build this kind of stand has tools to cut the lumber into same length, so they don't have such problem. Therefore I didn't find solution online. I went back to Home Depot and an employee in Paint area ask me to use wood glue:
However, no matter how much glue I put in, after 1 hour, the glue will be absorbed (I am not sure but anyway they disappear). Finally, the gap looks like this:
I did't think it has any support, so I went back Home Depot again and this time a senior employee in Paint area told me I should use wood filler instead:
I used a bank card as putty knife to push the filler into the gap. After 24 hours, the filler dry. However, I see some crack....
It is too difficult for a new DIYer... I would like to ask:
1. Is this crack a problem? If yes, what should I do?
2. Back to the very beginning, although there is a gap on top of the minor support lumber, the 4 longest 2*4 lumbers (they are directly connect the tank and floor) are in the same length. Are they enough for a 35 gallon tank?
Thanks for any reply! I hope I can finish it and don't give up the reef hobby at the very beginning...
After seeing a lot of diy fish tank stand by 2*4 thread/video, I decided also do one for my Aqueous 35 gallon cube. To be honest, this was my first time with the lumber, so I began to search how to use power tool right before I began to build it. After 2 hours studying for how to use power tools and 2 hour drilling, the stand looks like this:
And then the problem came to me. Since I asked Home Depot employee to help me cut the lumber into desired size, there is some small difference in the length, about 3mm. Therefore, there is a gap between support wood and the top frame:
I guess most of people who build this kind of stand has tools to cut the lumber into same length, so they don't have such problem. Therefore I didn't find solution online. I went back to Home Depot and an employee in Paint area ask me to use wood glue:
However, no matter how much glue I put in, after 1 hour, the glue will be absorbed (I am not sure but anyway they disappear). Finally, the gap looks like this:
I did't think it has any support, so I went back Home Depot again and this time a senior employee in Paint area told me I should use wood filler instead:
I used a bank card as putty knife to push the filler into the gap. After 24 hours, the filler dry. However, I see some crack....
It is too difficult for a new DIYer... I would like to ask:
1. Is this crack a problem? If yes, what should I do?
2. Back to the very beginning, although there is a gap on top of the minor support lumber, the 4 longest 2*4 lumbers (they are directly connect the tank and floor) are in the same length. Are they enough for a 35 gallon tank?
Thanks for any reply! I hope I can finish it and don't give up the reef hobby at the very beginning...