Rock wall construction vs. gravel and time

[beviking]

O.k., almost have my mind made up...

The pic is a cross section of what I have in mind. The brown is gravel, the gray is the slate pieces (3/4" thick avg.), the white is styrofoam. So the wall will be 4 1/2" high on a 1/2" piece of styrofoam with 2" gravel in front, 5"gravel behind. I plan on epoxying the slate together (as sections in case I want/or when I want to move them). I will have crypts and swords planted on the deep side.
Comments? Look o.k.?

 

[RTR]

Looks reasonable to me.

My only suggestion would be not to have the slate quite as flush and even as shown in the cross-section. To me it well look more natural and aged if there are shadow lines, not exaggerated, but just not tile-work or brick-laying even. Bricks look
"better" to me with a slightly recessed grout anyway, and the slate can provide its own.

 

[kveeti]

Looks great. If it turns out anything like your stand, it will be fantastic. What floor shape are you doing with the wall? Following the back shape of the corner tank evenly - or ?

Have fun epoxying.

 

[beviking]

Thanks again!
The front will be somewhat flush (it's the way I want it for my own reasons) but I chose pieces that have natural rough edges so it won't be as the drawing indicates. Some will be recessed or sticking out slightly.
I'm going to follow the front of the tank and the wall will be about 5" back from the front glass. I know some "aquascapers" say not to follow the front of the glass but I think they're referring to a rectangular tank. Mine is curved. I'm using straight pieces of slate so it'll be interesting getting it to work. I doubt it'll follow the glass exactly and I've played around with straight, somewhat straight at different angles to the front glass too. Still haven't decided... :duh: