Setting up a new aquarium also means creating a background. The scenery against which we have the opportunity to observe the inhabitants of the underwater world should be pleasing to the eye and natural. Buying a background from a pet store can cost you a lot, so it makes sense to do it yourself. The result will undoubtedly please you.
It is necessary
Styrofoam, sealant, knife, non-toxic paints
Instructions
Step 1
What background should I choose? If you prefer to breed cichlid species in your aquarium, a rocky background will work best with these fish.
Step 2
Cut a piece of styrofoam to fit the back of your aquarium. If you can't find a piece of a suitable size, you can make a background from three to four parts. When combining layers, make sure that the joints do not coincide with each other (as with brickwork).
Step 3
Organize protrusions around the edges of the future background, this will give the background a more voluminous look. After cutting out pieces of material of the desired thickness, join them with a sealant. Use a special sealant for gluing aquariums, as it does not release substances harmful to living organisms into the water.
Step 4
Let the sealant dry for about a day, then start cutting the workpiece. Make a cutout on the back of the background where you can place the heater. It is not recommended to hide the filter behind the background, as this may impair the quality of water filtration.
Step 5
Cut grooves on the front surface of the workpiece, their location can be any, the main thing is that the contours of the rocky surface appear as a result. In some places, you can cut out a kind of caves, which in the future will serve as a shelter for weak fish.
Step 6
So far, you have a white background that does not resemble a natural rock surface. Check again that the workpiece is sized to fit in the installation location.
Step 7
Now you can prime the front surface of the background with cement diluted with water. Apply the first layer with a brush and leave to dry. Moisten the surface before applying the second coat to help prevent cracks in the material.
Step 8
Now you need three colors of non-toxic paints - black, brown and green. Apply paints consistently to the decorative elements cut in expanded polystyrene, trying to achieve a harmonious combination of the selected colors. Allow the previous coat to dry completely before applying the next coat.
Step 9
Fastening the background you made can be done with a sealant or weighting in the form of stones that will not allow it to float. Add some real rocks in the foreground to give the aquarium a more natural look. Over time, a small build-up of greenery will appear on the surface of the background, which will give it a completely natural look.
