Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Styrofoam sheet
- X-Acto knife
- Plastic plants
- Water colors
- Paint brush
- Sponge
- Glue
- Packing tape
Instructions
Measure the back of your aquarium. Be sure to measure both the length and the height of the tank.
Cut the Styrofoam sheet so that it is the same length and height as your aquarium. Dip a sponge in some water colors and give the background the color you want. Natural colors like greens, blues and browns work well as aquarium backgrounds.
Use the X-Acto knife to cut ridges and gulleys into the Styrofoam. This will give the background more of a three-dimensional appearance.
Paint the background using your water colors. You may want to paint a realistic background to simulate a natural aquatic environment. You can also choose a more abstract background with bold colors and unique designs.
Glue a few plastic plants to the 3D background. This will provide a more natural appearance and bring out the 3D nature of the piece.
Attach the 3D background to the back of the aquarium using clear packing tape. Make sure you put a piece of tape on the top and bottom of each side of the background. This will help to secure the background in place.