warped floor

[maitre007]

I have submitted my application for this apartment in the market.  The one problem with the place is that the floor in the living room are warped and there is a basement underneath.  

I have a 125 gallon aquarium.  I know  that the warped floors will cause the weight not to be distributed evenly and will cause a risk of a big accident.

I am wondering if it is simply a question of laying down several thick layers of styrofoam and the will weight of the  aquarium will redistribute itself.  Do I have to redo the floor to even out the floor?

Or as I am suspecting it could be the worst case scenario whereas the warped floor is an indicator that the structure is not able to support the weight of such a big aquarium and I will also have to improve the structure in the basement.

[JBL]

I have a 175 gallon in the living room, although the floor was straight I still nailed 2 2x10 to to existing beams as they were running parallel to the tank.

I would check what you have in the basement and the direction they are going. I would recommend a 3/4 plywood base to fit the bottom of your tank or stand and use shims where necessary (unless it's really warped). You are talking close to 1,300 pounds!

[Troy]

maitre007 : Your 125 gallon aquarium empty is about 221 pounds, Filled with water it is about 1456 pounds not including any rock or cabinet you may add to the tank.
A 26cft refrigerator is 300 pounds empty and most people put that appliance in a small space (a 35x35 inch square) and fill it up with several hundred pounds of food.
I am sure your couch with 3 or 4 people sitting on it weights a considerable amount and you would not worry about that. If you have real structural damage on the floor then check it out and make sure. But a normal floor I would not worry about IMO.
If you feel better place a wooden support system under the tank on the floor. Hope this helps.  :wink:

[maitre007]

My friend suggested that I put one of those big jacks in the basement to complement the existing support system instead of adding deadwood (if I remember the proper terminology from the monster house show).

If I understand JBL's and Troy's post, I ought to concentrate my efforts in adding to the support system and not neccessarily redo the whole floor.  

I mean I am kinda of cool with that because I think it would be cheaper to do the former than the later.

[JBL]

maitre007: Thats what I would do and level as I mentioned. As I said I added support, the last thing you want is your tank moving itself down on level!

I have tanks in the basement which is not level in certain areas due to the slopping towards drainage pipe. I levelled as I have previously mentioned.

[artw]

if your placing a tank close to walls it would be better cause the floor below is supported at the walls
it would be even better if you could put the tank against an exterior wall (perpendicular to the floor joists)
if you knew someone with architectural knowledge (hehe) you could have them come over and have a look.

[Anubias]

Jack up the floor joists under the aquarium stand feet if possible. I used 4 x 4s. As suggested, place tank close to wall across four joists. Worked for my 180 gallon.

Regards,