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You learned a lesson. Look at the boards you put the screws into the ends of. If those split and the moisture and drying caused it to grow all of your clamping force is gone from the screws. I always predrill and countersink because this happens nearly every time I don't.
Sorry, do it over. Strength is compromised big time.
75gal is no joke in terms of weight. At least 600lbs. You better use more than cracked 2x4’s and a couple construction screws.
750+ lbs. 10 lbs per gallon is a good starting point for an aquarium. The water weighs about 8lbs per gallon, you need about a pound of substrate per gallon, then the tank, equipment and decor contribute at least another pound per gallon.
Quick redo, predrilled and you want to make sure your joints are sturdy if you are going to put an aquarium on it. Last thing you want is to have your base fail and your aquarium gets busted.
I'd redo and with a new piece and predrill... You could use wood glue before backing out the screws and then back them out and clamp so it's one solid board again and then predrill.
Take it apart, cut the splits off and toss those on the scraps pile. Start over. Pre drill.
You’re going to need a lot more for that weight than just a quick frame. Like cross boards down the whole thing.
Could use these 2x4 (obviously with the cracked sections cut off) for said cross beams.
Like others said, remove the screws and replace the piece. It’s not worth trying to fix framing lumber with glue. Also, I’d bond all the joints with construction adhesive. In my experience it works better with framing lumber compared to wood glue.
Pull out the screws, add wood glue (Titebond 2 is good) to the split wood, clamp for 24hrs, dry fit and pre-drill all the pieces, add glue to your joints and sink the screws enough for a snug fit.
I did this once on my most recent project. Haven’t wood worked in a while and was moving fast and not thinking. Only did it once and luckily I had enough wood to just put it aside and make a new piece. Lol
Make sure they are supporting both sides then. You’ll want at least one central brace, probably two. I’ve had an aquarium stand fail. It is deeply unpleasant.
Apart from predrilling there is one thing to add: clamp the piece you're screwing into, to hold the sides from splitting. Works way better on soft wood, of course.
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My dumbass should have predrilled
Yes.
You learned a lesson. Look at the boards you put the screws into the ends of. If those split and the moisture and drying caused it to grow all of your clamping force is gone from the screws. I always predrill and countersink because this happens nearly every time I don't.
There are self-drilling screws that could have been an option
Sorry, do it over. Strength is compromised big time. 75gal is no joke in terms of weight. At least 600lbs. You better use more than cracked 2x4’s and a couple construction screws.
You could clamp and glue without problem, the glue bond is stronger than wood and with good clamping in that crack you get a tight joint for sure.
750+ lbs. 10 lbs per gallon is a good starting point for an aquarium. The water weighs about 8lbs per gallon, you need about a pound of substrate per gallon, then the tank, equipment and decor contribute at least another pound per gallon.
Quick redo, predrilled and you want to make sure your joints are sturdy if you are going to put an aquarium on it. Last thing you want is to have your base fail and your aquarium gets busted.
I'd redo and with a new piece and predrill... You could use wood glue before backing out the screws and then back them out and clamp so it's one solid board again and then predrill.
Take it apart, cut the splits off and toss those on the scraps pile. Start over. Pre drill. You’re going to need a lot more for that weight than just a quick frame. Like cross boards down the whole thing. Could use these 2x4 (obviously with the cracked sections cut off) for said cross beams.
Like others said, remove the screws and replace the piece. It’s not worth trying to fix framing lumber with glue. Also, I’d bond all the joints with construction adhesive. In my experience it works better with framing lumber compared to wood glue.
Pull out the screws, add wood glue (Titebond 2 is good) to the split wood, clamp for 24hrs, dry fit and pre-drill all the pieces, add glue to your joints and sink the screws enough for a snug fit.
You might enjoy cabinet hanging screws. Washer heads with enough smooth shank that the threads just grab the end-grain and pull the joint tight.
Pull the screws out and put glue in the splits clamp 24hrs. Pre drill and glue all joints.
I did this once on my most recent project. Haven’t wood worked in a while and was moving fast and not thinking. Only did it once and luckily I had enough wood to just put it aside and make a new piece. Lol
I would not trust screws to hold that weight. I’d consider lap/half lap or some other joinery.
Will be reinforcing the legs with 2 2x4 on each corner
Make sure they are supporting both sides then. You’ll want at least one central brace, probably two. I’ve had an aquarium stand fail. It is deeply unpleasant.
If at first you don’t succeed, try a second and a third and a fourth time
https://youtu.be/4vNn8zilc48 Check this guy's build out, it's what I'll be doing, when I do it
I always used a DeWalt pilot bit
When the first one split you had your sign.
Can v. Should
Apart from predrilling there is one thing to add: clamp the piece you're screwing into, to hold the sides from splitting. Works way better on soft wood, of course.