Though it's possible to purchase terrarium backgrounds, it's less expensive to make your own. A stiff piece of black paper or black cardboard affixed to the outside of your terrarium will do for small terrariums, but for bigger terrariums it's more aesthetically pleasing to make a more elaborate background.
Things You'll Need
- Terrarium
- Scrap piece of cardboard roughly the dimensions of the back side of the terrarium
- Spray-on polyurethane insulation foam
- Silicone sealant in black or bronze
- Dry coconut husk fiber or peat moss
Instructions
terrarium
Practice applying the spray-on polyurethane insulation foam to the cardboard in order to "get a feel" as to how the foam works and understand how the foam will expand when applied to the terrarium glass.
Spray the spray-on polyurethane insulation foam onto the inside back panel of the terrarium. Layer the foam in any way you desire to create unique features within the foam to simulate rock structures your pet may find in his natural habitat.
Allow the foam to set for about three to four hours--just long enough for the foam to still be flexible and "sticky" in order to apply other materials to it, and not so firm so that it is impossible to apply other materials to it.
Apply the silicone sealant to the polyurethane insulation foam to ensure the background will be waterproof.
Press the dry coconut husk fiber or peat moss (or both) into the sealed polyurethane insulated foam immediately before the sealant and foam sets and hardens. Try to simulate the flora designs your pet might find in his natural habitat.
Allow the foam and sealant to set and harden for 24 to 48 hours before adding any furnishings, water or pets to the terrarium.