Surf and turf
 

Since I've been building my vivarium for dart frogs I've had this vision of a saltwater vivarium or paludarium that combines a reef tank and some type of landmass with real plants and possibly other critters like land hermits.
The thought of a wavebox pushing waves against a beach or shoreline would be pretty cool.
Maybe an open top tank with an atoll in the middle with mangroves or a combo of fake/real mangrove roots for a background.
You could make a false bottom and a beach but it would take up a lot of room to get a gradual slope.
I've been doing some searching but can't find any examples of such a tank. (probably for good reason)
Any ideas?

This sounds like it could be an awesome tank. I hope you have luck with it and keep posting pictures.

Have seen two tanks similar to you describe and though I might be able to swing the space, doubt I'll ever do. Still keep thinking about them.

On tank years ago at a LFS that had mudskippers thought was fantastic. Rather front to back, one side had a planted land area with plants then sloped into the water and gave a beach area in between. Having only seen mudskiimers on TV, I was impressed.

Other tank is at the Edm Telus (Space/Science) Ctr in the kids area. It's a long narrow wave tank with a gravel beach area. Idea is you create wave and then watch it crest. With macro and softies would be great with the motion. Biggest negative I would think is keeping the viewing pane clear. Thinking it's like the glass area above the water line in my sump, little salt creep, little scum and bubbles.

An issue of FAMA last year sometime had a tide pool tank that someone had built into their system; Was a very neat idea how it worked