HELP: Better construction input?

[Duriel]

Set my 40gal up with some plexiglass/silicone with PVC supports to get a raised land area about 3 weeks ago (more space for 4 juvie bullfrogs) and the seams are starting to give way. While much of this is undoubtedly because the silicone joints don't like the pressure exerted by all that dirt, it also has a lot to do with the largest bullfrog (a female, of course! lol) spazzing out whenever I am within site range (including across the hallway... good eyes on her!). The back wall collapsed today (noticed an insane amount of dirt in the water) and the front wall is splitting.


Front wall splitting.


Back wall on bottom of water.


Guilty looking bullfrog... so hard to catch on camera.

Anyone have some experience in the area of tank modification that can give me some advice? There's 3 PVC supports under the land area (15"x15") and one slightly out of camera supporting the ramp (that would definitely crumble under the big one's fatty-ness otherwise). The plexiglass is sort of expensive and all cuts had to be made at Loews as attempting to use my power tools resulted in spider cracks and sometimes shattering. Gah!

I guess this explains the bizarre sounds I heard early this morning. Crack! Kersplash! Croak! Skitter!

[deranged chipmunk]

Your supports are too narrow and there aren't enough. For a 15x15 section i would use 5 supports, each a minimum of 1.5" in diameter spaced like a 5 on dice. And drill holes into the supports so water can flow throw and not become stagnated.