Craft a Realistic Background for a Reef Aquarium

Reef aquariums, or salt water fish tanks, provide a beautiful accent to your home. Pre-printed backgrounds are available in both realistic picture style and solid black and blue colors. Since the selection is small and prices can be high for extra large tanks, consider crafting a realistic background for a reef aquarium yourself.

Reef Aquarium Background - Materials Needed

Solid-colored paper in black, silver, blue, or even dark green forms the base of your reef aquarium background. This should be sturdy paper that is large enough to cover the entire back of the fish tank. You will also need a scissor, an assortment of salt water aquarium or habitat magazines, and craft glue or paper paste. Clear contact paper or even plastic wrap or cling film will help to make your project waterproof.

Reef Aquarium Background - Craft Process

Measure the exact dimensions of the back of the reef aquarium you are making the realistic background for. Transfer these measurements to the large paper you are using, or tape together several pieces of smaller paper to make the appropriate size. The paper should be taped on the back, as shiny pieces of tape are difficult to glue on and will be more noticeable through the front of the aquarium.

Leaf through your collection of salt water fish tank and nature magazines and find images of coral, rock, invertebrates, and plants that grow in salt water ecosystems. These should be easy to find in hobby magazines. Cut out any you would like to use, leaving no white paper around the outer edge.

Arrange these images on the large piece of background paper, starting with the largest backdrop pictures of rock and coral. Paste each picture on, making sure it is flat, and allow the layer to dry before adding the next. Layering pictures is a great way to create a more realistic scene. For example, you can start with rock in the background, add coral and invertebrates such as sponges, then move on to organisms like star fish.

Reef Aquarium Background - How to Use

Cover the realistic background for your reef aquarium with sheets of stick, clear contact paper on both sides. You can also use plastic wrap and clear packing tape. This helps to prevent the background from being destroyed by drips and splashes. Tape the background carefully to the rear glass of the salt water fish tank, sit back, and enjoy.