Easy guide to decorating the back wall of your aquarium
A background wall has a greater impact on the appearance of an aquarium than many people expect when buying a tank. With this guide on "Designing an Aquarium Background Wall," you will not only plan a beautiful backdrop but also take into account depth, stocking, flow, and future maintenance. This planning is particularly worthwhile for large tanks, panorama aquariums, or custom-configured aquariums before setting them up.
Which background wall is right for your aquarium?
In principle, there are two solutions: a background wall outside the tank and a three-dimensional background wall inside the aquarium. A film or panel attached to the outside does not change the water volume or equipment and can be quickly replaced. It is the practical choice if the aquarium is already running or if you want to change the design flexibly later.
In contrast, an interior background wall made of plastic, resin, natural stone look, or self-constructed material creates visible depth and can offer fish additional structure. However, it requires space. In a standard 60-cm tank, a thick 3D background wall can noticeably reduce the swimming space. In a deep aquarium or a custom-made tank, this disadvantage is significantly less pronounced.
For densely planted aquascapes, a dark exterior film is often sufficient. It draws the eye to plants, roots, and rocks. In Malawi, Tanganyika, or other rock-oriented cichlid tanks, a textured interior background wall usually looks more natural. For shrimp tanks and nano aquariums, flat, dark backgrounds are often the better choice because they take up little space and make colors stand out clearly.
Instructions: Designing and preparing an aquarium background wall
Before you buy materials, measure the back glass precisely inside and outside the tank. For an interior background wall, take into account silicone seams, supports, intake pipes, heaters, and cable entries. A background wall that fits on paper but covers the filter intake will cause unnecessary modifications later.
Also plan the height consciously. An interior background wall should generally reach just below the future water line. This prevents a noticeable gap from being visible while allowing the upper area to be sealed neatly. For exterior films, the visible glass surface is sufficient. A small margin on the sides is usually less disruptive than a film that is under tension and peels off again.
Select material based on the intended use
Depending on the tank and budget, different materials are suitable for design:
- Photo films and solid-colored background films are suitable for quick, flat solutions and running aquariums.
- Textured plastic or resin background walls create a spatial impression of rock or roots.
- Cork, slate, or natural materials are especially suitable for the outside or drier paludarium areas.
- Self-constructed background walls made of rigid foam, mortar, and coating allow for individual shapes but require experience and careful sealing.
Attaching a background wall outside the tank
An exterior film is the simplest option. First, clean the outside of the back glass thoroughly. Dust, limescale marks, and grease streaks remain visible under the film. Use a lint-free cloth and work on a dry surface.
Cut the film with a small overhang. Depending on the product, it is mounted dry, with adhesive gel, or with a thin water-and-dishwashing-liquid mixture. The latter makes aligning easier but can cause long-lasting bubbles if there is too much liquid. Stroke from the center to the edges with a squeegee or a clean plastic card. Only then cut off the overhang cleanly.
For very large aquariums, a second person is helpful. The film does not have to be expensive to look good: Black, dark blue, or frosted glass often create a calmer overall picture than a detailed photo motif. The key is that the background matches the stocking and lighting.
Securely attaching an interior background wall
A pre-fabricated 3D background wall is usually glued to the cleaned back glass with aquarium-safe silicone. For this, the aquarium must be empty, dry, and free of old silicone residue. Test the position beforehand without adhesive and mark the edges on the outside with adhesive tape.
Apply the silicone in continuous beads on the back. The edge seal is particularly important. Fish, shrimp, and food scraps can get behind a background wall that is not completely sealed. There they are barely reachable, and in larger fish, a cavity can even become a trap.
Press the background wall evenly and secure it during curing according to the manufacturer's instructions. Do not skimp on the drying time. Fresh silicone is not immediately waterproof and can release odors or substances that have no place in a stocked tank. Only after complete curing is the aquarium filled and the equipment put into operation.
Consider equipment, flow, and maintenance
A background wall must not make the filter invisible, but it should not impair its function. The intake basket and outlet must remain accessible. For internal filters or background filters, sufficient free space is needed for maintenance and water movement. Plan flow not only at the front of the tank: Otherwise, areas with detritus deposits will form behind large decorations and close to the background wall.
With a background wall with projections, you can hide equipment specifically. Cables, heaters, and pipes disappear visually better when they are routed along dark structures. Nevertheless, make sure that the heater does not lie directly against resin or rigid foam and that the heat can circulate well.
Algae are also part of reality. Light, highly textured background walls show deposits faster than smooth dark variants. This is not an exclusion criterion, but a maintenance aspect. Those who want to spend little time on cleaning usually fare better with a smooth exterior film or a finely textured interior background wall. During maintenance, no sharp-edged scrapers may be used on soft plastic surfaces.
Self-construction or ready-made background wall?
Self-construction offers maximum design freedom. Terraces, caves, root looks, and technical shafts can be precisely matched to the dimensions of the tank. For custom sizes, this can be attractive. The effort is, however, higher, and errors in coating, curing, or sealing can only be corrected later with an empty aquarium.
A ready-made background wall is more predictable. Dimensions, material thickness, and appearance are predetermined, and the installation remains manageable. It is particularly suitable if the tank is to be set up soon or if a proven, water-neutral solution is required. Terboven Aquaristik offers aquariums, hardscapes, equipment, and furnishing accessories in various sizes, so that the background wall planning can be well coordinated with the tank format and planned stocking.
Those who want to visually enhance an existing aquarium usually choose the exterior solution. Those who are planning a new tank from scratch can achieve a significantly more spatial result with an interior background wall. The key is not the most elaborate design, but a background wall that still leaves enough swimming space, accessible equipment, and a harmonious picture after setup.