Hi, bigblue83,

I think I how what you are trying to achieve.

If you are still experimenting.... try stacking the rocks in a u shape, making "islands" on either side, and a slim ribbon of "land" across the back. It makes the tank look/feel bigger. The fitler will still function with the gravel pushed up higher against it.

A suggestion to hold down the overall weight: go to a craft store and puchase foam, as thick as you can find. Cut it the shape you want a little smaller than the inside diamention of the tank, including the slope of the shoreline. It takes up alot of space under gravel, and is easily covered. Fish tank sponge filters are basically just form beneficially bacteria will colonize the foam, thus helping to maintain water quality. I have done this and it works wonderfully.

My only other suggestion is to add a background. It will change to whole look, and you might like it more.

I am like you... I like and dont like my tanks at the same time, and always tinkering with them, thinking "I can do better". And I experiement with different ways of achieving the look I am trying to get without spending tons of cash. I remind myself that this part of the fun. And it seems, especially with fire belly toads, that they enjoy the changes being curious little critters. Nowadays it is called "enrichment", improving the housing, making it as natural as possible, giving the "inmates" some place interesting in which to live.