Using Gravel, Sand & Blue Slate As A Substrate

[youdirtyfox]

Hi Guys and Gals,
I recently bought a 400l Reef aqaurium brand new for the princely sum of £200 delivered!
I think its a real beauty I have plans to keep 6 x Boesmani rainbows, 6 x pictus cats, 2 x german rams,
1 x golden gourami, 1 x flying fox and maybe a few more, however to the question

I have got an idea in my head about using silver sand at the front of the tank and a lake land gravel mix at the rear,
Kind of figure over time these two may try and mix together wich would look a bit rubbish, so was thinking about
using a 'barrier' of blue slate rocks. Has anyone seen this done before, I think it could look very good and qiute dramatic
ecpecially with some caves and hideouts for the pictus cats and a fake planted area for the gouramis etc.

Many thanks in advance for reading and any answers and help,
regards
Sam.

 

[smegforbrains]

How about using something like the Juwel terrace and creating a stepped layer with the sand in front and gravel behind it built up?

 

[youdirtyfox]

How about using something like the Juwel terrace and creating a stepped layer with the sand in front and gravel behind it built up?

Thats a really good idea, I like that , thanks. will look further into that as I've have not heard of the terrace before now

 

[youdirtyfox]

Ok are there any other ways of doing this?! does anyone have any experience with DIY terrace/shelves?!