New To Hobby...about To Quit And Severely Disappoint Child

Just my advice and opinion take it as you want. I have kept fish since I was young and I have found for my son a 20 long to be great for the fish he wanted. I have never used a kit and primarily due to my preferences of quality I am use to. I found an aqueon 20long with the Brooklyn stand from petco works great for me and then heated with a 150 aqueon pro. For his tank I use 2 fluval 5-20gal hob filters and a fluval aqua sky led light. This is a planted tank as well so any light may work in this case. Don't give up tho he will love it and become more involved as time goes by. And watch out for MTS it is real I have it 25 tanks and counting lots of projects with breeding and growing plants. It is something you may find yourself wanting to do alone as well. Of course work on his tank with him first it is so rewarding watch your son take pride in his tank.

 

If you're going with a HOB filter I would recommend going with an aqua clear or modifying the one you planned on getting. Look up how to modify a hob filter on YouTube. Youtube is your friend. You can also look up diy light fixtures and stands. You may enjoy building your aquarium.

I did get the Aqua Clear filter.

Hit a snag today.

All of my new items came over the past couple of days. I've leak tested the tank for 3-4 days.

I purchased the Aqueon Forge stand, linked above, based upon some pretty positive reviews.

Assembled it, actually like it very much at first glance. Simple and VERY stable.

Here's the issue: When the stand is assembled, the top bows down a little bit. To the point where there's about a 1/8" gap between the bottom of the tank frame and the top of the stand.




Thoughts?

 

I am far far far from an expert, but I believe that the space could possibly be there for flex when water is added. When I had my wrought iron stand, I remember there being a small space as yours. If you are not comfortable with that space, return it. No sense in having something bug you constantly.
You can also do a water test with the tank on the stand and see whether or not the space closes.

 

Hit a snag today.

All of my new items came over the past couple of days. I've leak tested the tank for 3-4 days.

I purchased the Aqueon Forge stand, linked above, based upon some pretty positive reviews.

Assembled it, actually like it very much at first glance. Simple and VERY stable.

Here's the issue: When the stand is assembled, the top bows down a little bit. To the point where there's about a 1/8" gap between the bottom of the tank frame and the top of the stand.


Thoughts?

Reinforce with a center bar and brace? So drop in a middle set of legs and a brace to match above?

 

I got it down to about 1/16" gap on the long sides, right at the middle. I'm figuring weight in the tank might close the gap. I wouldn't expect 1/16" of flex to be an issue for the tank...