Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Foam sheet
- Colored foil or watercolor paint
- Paintbrush or sponge
- Razor blade knife
- Hot glue gun
- Plastic plants
- Sticks or wood pieces
- Scissors
- Clear packing tape
Instructions
Measure the height and length of your aquarium's back panel. Use the razor blade knife to cut the foam sheet to the proper size.
Use the razor blade knife to make ridges and gulleys in the foam sheet if you want to give the background a three-dimensional effect. Otherwise cover the foam sheet in colored foil (available at your local pet store or aquarium center) or use the paintbrush or sponge to apply a water-based paint in the color of your choice. You can use browns, blues and greens for a natural look, or bright, vibrant colors for a more whimsical design.
Glue on any accents or decorations you want to add to the foam sheet. You can use a variety of items such as plastic aquarium plants, sticks and pieces of wood to add depth and interest to the background. Allow the glue to dry thoroughly before proceeding.
Lift the finished background and hold it against your tank. Look through the front of the tank to make sure the background matches your expectations. Apply a small piece of clear packing tape to one corner of the background to anchor it in place, then tape the remaining corners and sides to hold the background in place.