How do you make a fish tank background?

Answer 1

You buy a roll of a paper of the type of background you want. You can either buy it online (much more expensive) OR buy it at your local pet shop which is much cheaper. Just measure the size of the tank with the paper and stick it on. It's simple!

Answer 2

Most tank backgrounds are flat sheets of high-grade (waterproof) paper or plastic. They are applied by cutting them to size and then sticky-taping them to the outside of the back glass panel of the aquarium. Before you tape the background in place, make sure the outside surface of the glass is clean - streaks or marks can ruin the effect.

Internal aquarium backgrounds are 3d backgrounds that are designed to go inside the aquarium. Installation depends on what the background is made out of. Some are very thin sheets of rock or wood that can just rest against the back of the tank. Others are made of styrofoam or a similar material with waterproof paint to make them look like rock, wood or plants. These will float in water, and must therefore be anchored to the back of the aquarium with aquarium silicon sealant. Do not use any sealant that does not say on the tube it is safe for aquarium use. After applying the sealant, leave it to cure for one week before allowing it to come into contact with water. Rinse the aquarium thoroughly before you decorate it and fill it with water that fish will be introduced to. 3D backgrounds usually come with instructions - if these aren't clear or weren't supplied, try asking on an aquarium forum.

The only other kind of background I have seen used is a moss wall. These usually consist of two sheets of plastic mesh zip-tied together with aquatic moss sandwiched between them - after some weeks or months, the moss grows through the mesh, hiding the mesh and forming a beautiful living backdrop. I have never seen one of these for sale, although it is possible to make your own - good guides exist on some aquarium websites and forums.

If you are installing any background that goes inside the fish tank - be it a sheet of slate leaned against the back of the tank, a styrofoam backdrop, a moss wall etc - make sure that you don't leave a gap between the backdrop and the glass that a fish could wriggle into and get stuck.