How to Make a Background for a Reef Aquarium

Measure the back and sides of your reef aquarium to determine how large the decorative background for your tank should be. Some choose to cover only the back and leave the sides of the aquarium as clear glass. This depends largely on your preferences and the size and shape of the tank. For example, a corner aquarium would have two sides covered by a backdrop.

Cut the large piece of paper, or several smaller pieces of paper, to the exact size of the glass you wish to cover on your reef aquarium. If you have multiple pieces of paper, tape them together from the back. The paper you choose for the reef tank backdrop can be in any pattern or color you choose, but black, dark blue, gray or deep blue-green are more realistic. Reflective paper also works well for this application.

Use a sharp scissors to cut images out of fish and aquarium magazines. You may also use nature magazines that focus on sea and aquatic life. The images you choose should be of rocks, plants, invertebrates such as coral and sponges and other environmental pieces from reef ecosystems. Match the size of the pictures you cut out to the size of your fish tank. A 100-gallon fish tank would not use a 2-inch bit of coral for a backdrop.

Arrange the cut out images from magazines on the paper reef aquarium backdrop. Position larger images, such as plants or rocks, on the paper first. When satisfied with their placement, use craft glue or paper paste to attach them to the backdrop. Take into consideration the position of the heater, filter and other apparatus in the aquarium. Allow this layer to dry. Then, glue on subsequent layers of images in a natural looking arrangement. Allow the entire reef aquarium backdrop scene to dry completely.

Trim any excess paper at the edges of the reef aquarium background paper if necessary. Use long strips of clear, waterproof tape to attach the paper background to the glass walls of the fish tank. Tape over all edges of the background so the paper stays on longer as it is difficult to get behind an aquarium once it is in position and full. Cover the entire back with plastic wrap or cling film and tape that in place. This will prevent the backdrop from being ruined by drips and splashes.