Making a Styrofoam Aquarium Background

Adding a background to your aquarium can make it look more interesting, but that background also serves a practical purpose. Having a background on your tank reduces the amount of sunlight that reaches the glass, and that can help prevent excessive algae growth. You could buy a ready-made aquarium background at the pet store, but making your own gives your tank a real custom look.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • Styrofoam sheet
  • Razor-blade knife
  • Watercolors
  • Sponge
  • Paintbrushes
  • Hot glue gun
  • Plastic plants
  • Twigs
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the back of your aquarium and cut the piece of Styrofoam to the correct size. Use a razor blade knife or craft knife to cut through the Styrofoam cleanly.

    • 2

      Use the razor blade knife to make grooves in the Styrofoam background. These grooves create a 3-D effect when you view the aquarium from the front, providing visual depth and adding interest to the tank.

    • 3

      Paint the Styrofoam the colors you want to use for your aquarium background. Use watercolors and apply the paint with a sponge and an assortment of brushes. Use fine-tip brushes to get color into the crevices you made with the razor blade knife.

    • 4

      Glue twigs, sticks, plastic plants, seashells and other items on to the Styrofoam background. These items create visual depth in the background and make it more appealing to the eye. Use a hot glue gun to attach those items to the background.

    • 5

      Wait for the Styrofoam background to dry completely, then hold it up against the back of the tank. Attach the background to the tank with pieces of clear packing tape. Tape one side while holding the background in place, then tape the opposite end to keep it in place.