Making a False Back for an Aquarium

A beautiful, thriving fish tank can make a great accent piece for any room in the house, in addition to being an enjoyable hobby. The beauty of your aquarium can be marred, however, by the sight of tangled cords and crowded equipment hanging on the back of the tank. To hide these sights from view, many aquarium hobbyists utilize aquarium backgrounds or false aquarium backs. While you can purchase a back for your aquarium online or at your local pet store, making your own is often cheaper and leaves room for customization.

  1. Benefits of Aquarium Backing

    • Not only does an aquarium back obscure unsightly cords and equipment from view, but it can also enhance the appearance of your tank. Whether you choose to utilize a 2-D aquarium background or construct a complex 3-D false aquarium back, these additions can give your tank a more natural feel. Not only will this add to the aesthetic appeal of your tank, but it may also make your fish feel more at home. The key to keeping fish healthy in captivity is to mimic their natural environment as closely as possible -- a quality false aquarium back can help you do that.

    2-D Backgrounds

    • If you simply want to cover up the cords and equipment hanging off the back of your tank, a 2-D aquarium background may be sufficient. To make your own aquarium background, simply measure the length and height of your tank and construct your background using these measurements. You can make a simple 2-D background using wrapping paper or scrapbook paper, but if you hope to make the background appear natural it may be best to print a large photo of an underwater scene. You can also customize the background completely by painting or drawing it yourself on a sheet of blank paper cut to the size of the tank.

    3-D False Backs

    • A false aquarium back is an enhanced version of the 2-D aquarium background and it is typically installed inside the tank. Most aquarium hobbyists choose to construct false backs out of pieces of foam, layering various sheets and shapes across the back of the tank. To build your own false back, cut a sheet of 1-inch foam to the size of your aquarium back and attach it using clear silicone. Add to the aquarium back using additional sheets and cutouts of foam. Once you have the basic outline completed, paint on thin layers of concrete to give the aquarium back a more natural appearance.

    Painting the Tank

    • If you are looking for the simplest and least expensive way to cover the back of your aquarium, you can simply paint the tank itself using glass paint. Painting the back of your tank is an easy way to give your aquarium a background without having to spend a lot of money on supplies or time on construction. If you choose to paint the back of your aquarium, paint only the back wall of the tank on the outside using a dark color like navy blue or black. A dark color will help to obscure the cords and equipment hanging off the back of your tank but will not be as distracting as a lighter color might be.