| One of the questions which I am asked quite a lot is | | | | There are various DIY aquarium backgrounds that |
| how do I hide all the plumbing and/or wires around | | | | you can use which are listed below: |
| the back of the tank so that they are not visible | | | | * Incorporate a painted wooden background onto |
| from the front. | | | | the rear of the stand. |
| And I agree it does not look natural. You set your | | | | * Paint the rear glass of the aquarium. |
| aquarium up and all the rock is aquascaped perfectly | | | | * Paint a thin wooden background and attach it to |
| yet all you can see through the back of the tank is | | | | the rear of the aquarium using silicone. |
| the wall, wires, pipework etc. | | | | * Attach a curtain or some other type of fabric |
| Of course there are areas where you don't want to | | | | across the rear of the aquarium. |
| apply a background to an aquarium. A good example | | | | * Purchase reef rock, cut them in half and stick to |
| of this is when an aquarium is installed into a wall | | | | the inside rear of the aquarium. |
| where the aquarium can be seen from both sides. | | | | * Make a cave/reef structure out of salt water rated |
| When you start out in this hobby thinking about a | | | | concrete/resin or foam. |
| background is probably the last thing on your mind. | | | | The most utilised option out of the above DIY |
| You are learning that much about this hobby that a | | | | aquarium backgrounds is where the rear glass of the |
| background is well down the list. Actually the | | | | aquarium is painted. |
| background should be thought about as part of the | | | | The next thing to think about is what colour do you |
| planning stage. | | | | use? |
| You may even end up purchasing a salt water | | | | This is up to you really. It is personal preference, |
| aquarium package where a background is not | | | | however the most common used colours and blue |
| included. | | | | and black. The trick is to attempt to make it so that |
| The planning stage is an exceptionally important part | | | | the background is not obvious and seamlessly |
| when it comes to setting up a salt water aquarium, | | | | integrates into the aquarium. The rear of the |
| however it is also unfortunately one of the things | | | | aquarium will probably get covered in corraline etc |
| which is not performed. | | | | within time. |
| When you consider starting your aquarium you need | | | | If you choose to paint the glass then ensure that |
| to research as much as you can (when you finish | | | | you clean the glass first with some glass cleaner and |
| researching then research a little bit more!) and then | | | | ensure that all fingerprints and oil based marks are |
| you can start planning. When you start planning you | | | | removed. If you not 100% sure that it is clean do it |
| do this based upon the animal you wish to keep and | | | | again to make sure. You can now either spray or |
| not the equipment you need. You purchase the | | | | hand paint the glass. Do so in several thin coats |
| equipment which is necessary for the animals which | | | | ensuring that the previous coat is dry before applying |
| you hope to keep not just know but also in the | | | | the next. |
| future. | | | | When all the coats are applied wait until it is |
| The reason I have talked about planning is that the | | | | completely dry before touching it or moving the tank. |
| background is part of this. For example you may | | | | The paint does not attach that well to glass and can |
| want to incorporate overflows into the rear of the | | | | easily peel. |
| tank. Your chosen background needs to | | | | Whichever of the DIY aquarium backgrounds you |
| accommodate this. | | | | choose to use attempt to plan for it prior to starting |
| It is also easier to apply a background before the | | | | your aquarium. It is much easier to paint the aquarium |
| aquarium is installed and full of water. | | | | when it is empty and not in it's final position. |