Working with Tiles??

[wolf_bluejay]

I am building/planning almost the same thing except I have the ledge already there. So, I had an idea that I figured I'd pass on.

A while ago I got to talking to a fellow that does custom granite kitchen counters as I am thinking about re-doing my whole kitchen, and I asked about a custom granite piece being made up for the ledge in front of my tank (some strange angles and 8 1/2 feet long X 8" wide) and as it turns out -- Most granite sheets com in about 6-7 feet wide, and they custom cut the counters and very regularly get 8" to 12" pieces cut off that is normally wasted as there just isn't that much demand for 8" counter tops.

End result -- I got a price of about $100 for a piece of granite that will butt right up to the tank and act the same as the tile shelf you are thinking about.

You might want to consider it -- as after all the edging material/tools/grout you would be more cost than custom stone work.
PS. I really really hate ceramic tile -- a lot