Building a 3D ROCK BACKGROUND for your aquarium

Today I am going to build a 3d diy aquarium background/backdrop carved from styrofoam insulation and paint. A cool diy craft for any aquarium, terrarium or fish enthusiast. This cost about $30 cad to build.
The background does not go in the fish tank, it is placed directly behind but will give the appearance that it is in the tank. The materials used are not fish safe so do not place directly in the water.

[@drdoolittlefishhobbyist6055]

Wow, now this is awesome and looks so real. My only worry would be if that was sand you used for texture it may scratch the glass. I'm definitely wanting one of these on my tank. Good job buddy.

[@DrewBuildsStuff]

Thanks! Never really though about the sand scratching it, there is only a few contact points so you could spend the extra time to ensure no sand is touching.

[@sivakumaranithasiva7946]

@@DrewBuildsStuff at

[@1nvisible1]

*I like the no-cleaning aspect of an exterior background.*

[@jhunelimbauan8234]

What kind of paint?

[@AndyStylingStroke]

Looks amazing. May I please ask about the paint one should use?​@@DrewBuildsStuff

[@keithcovington7176]

Poor oscar. You need that fish in a much bigger tank.

[@DrewBuildsStuff]

When I got him he was very small. I did give him to someone with a bigger tank shortly after this video. 👍

[@star215able]

@@DrewBuildsStuff Whew, glad to hear it

[@petersackett9058]

Yay, Oscar!

[@catpax6075]

The first thought I had was, that poor Oscar fish. I hope you’ve rehomed or gotten a bigger tank by now for them.

[@Snakue]

@@catpax6075 he rehomed him to someone with a bigger tank im glad.

[@vanissaberg5824]

This is the best 3-D background build I've seen so far! I love that you aren't taking up space inside the aquarium or dealing with cement like the others do. Plus you have the flexibility to swap it out for different looks whenever you want. I'll definitely have to try this method. 😀

[@DrewBuildsStuff]

Thanks! Yes it’s actually a pretty simple concept. I was pretty surprised how popular the video has been! Thanks for watching👍

[@dtbone6]

you should put a list of things you used to make this...

[@Edward-rw3kq]

Or at least answer this question.

[@pipih64]

wow...background tebing batu aquariumnya bener2 keren bukan kaleng2 sahabatku...indah dan keliatan 3D nya. terus berkarya berkreasi dan berbagi sahabatku 💪💪🙏🙏

[@norbipuhl111]

Nicely done, but I think that Oscar deserves a bigger tank

[@DrewBuildsStuff]

You bet, he grew larger than I thought he would. I gave him to someone with a larger aquarium shortly after this video 🙂

[@norbipuhl111]

@@DrewBuildsStuff lovely fish, once I was kid, 1 tried to eat my finger, but it was fun, one of my neighbours had few in a big tank

[@UnMinutoViajando]

@@DrewBuildsStuff prove it!

[@boeingav8r]

Hi Drew. This looks spectacular. Honestly I can't tell it's on the outside of the tank. Such a good idea. Doesn't need to be cleaned and doesn't waste space that the fish can swim in. Nice Job.

[@DrewBuildsStuff]

Thanks Jason, appreciate the comment!

[@juliusmrisho6088]

Is it In or Outside?@@DrewBuildsStuff

[@shanayakapoor6331]

Its on the outside

[@dilbotmacguillacutty4849]

Top notch! Great detail in the rock work!!

[@carrie5599]

Very awesome I've done something similar to yours. I really love the small rocks or gravel that was a perfect touch.

[@latinoben69]

Awesome, I love the beautiful back ground. I wish I had one for my 55, 30, 20, 10, and 5 gallon tanks. 👍💯❤🐠🐟🇵🇷

[@DrewBuildsStuff]

Thank you! That’s an impressive amount of tanks you have! 🇨🇦 🐠 🇵🇷

[@trevorpayne3953]

Its looks awesome but you need a bigger tank for your oscar

[@DrewBuildsStuff]

Ya you bet, he moved to a much larger tank a long time

[@LilDirt12]

WOW! Your fish is badass! And that background came out amazing! I love how you placed it behind the tank. Doesn't take up room that way. And you don't have to worry about what chemicals are on your background pretty damn smart there mister. Thanks for sharing It came out really good.

[@demetriusgallitzin8859]

I vaguely recall someone using a mesh or coarse sponge filter as the entire background. It was dual purpose and also held plants. It was cut or altered to look like landscape also.

[@toochtbg9764]

Just stumbled across this video I didn’t even think about putting it behind the tank gives it that real 3D effect. About to got get supplies to do my 125G right on for the inspiration my man great work!

[@DrewBuildsStuff]

Thanks! Let me know how it turns out!!

[@edwinho4897]

Outside tank 3D background, perfect. I will attempt to make one for my 50 gallon tank.

[@kels1859]

Looks amazing

[@Cougar139tweak]

Wow, best build video for this I've seen so far, amazing

[@marcom248]

Good job man! Looks so realistic, God bless 🙏🏻😊

[@robestey5628]

Looks great thanks. Love your assistant (always the helper).

[@Lwah0812]

Once you put it behind the tank it suddenly became so real looking, great job. Can you maybe make a pinned comment for everyone asking about supplies used? You are so incredibly talented, you could be selling your work…but then I guess that’s what it becomes work, not enjoyment.

[@t.i.r.6986]

Wow, that's extraordinary.... I'm gonna try it on mine..

[@merimaluz5333]

Wow, what perfection 😮

[@ayahalbychannel8424]

Awesome...👍👍👍

[@roywhittle8284]

Wow that is the best background I’ve seen 👍up to you mate

[@ccgptk]

Wow, amazing

[@tonilynn1597]

I can't believe how well tht looks.great job man xx

[@DrewBuildsStuff]

Thanks!

[@Slowww502]

Wow just wow 👌

[@BadKittyNoMilk]

Where did you get this idea? It looks rad thanks for sharing. I’d love to try this for my mothers 10 gallon tank

[@YusufFirdausBrainwash]

You are sick dude 🥰 , I love all what you have build, I'm your new fans from Indonesia

[@vigeeshcv2637]

Woowwwww super, new subscriber from India 🇮🇳🙌

[@marcpt2728]

Wow thats amazing

[@IMRANHOSSAIN-ed7rr]

Very nice 👍

[@amnaalawalkhan2926]

Amazing.

[@alexmizzoni8766]

Great work👍🏼🔥

[@DrewBuildsStuff]

Thank you 👍

[@carlkinsella7540]

Amazing work... would it be possible for you to list me the paints & other products you we're using, as I couldn't read them properly... Is there any particular paint that is needed??

[@fred15]

Great background but please get your fish à bigger tank !!!

[@SugaryHobgoblin]

First off, really good craftsmanship, this video was impressive. Just curious if you think a styrofoam background like this can be put directly in the tank? I have paint on the back of my tank so this won't really work for me. Obviously if it is going in the tank I would use non-toxic paint and glue, and omit the little plant flourishes. For the styrofoam alone, how well do you think it would hold up in a tank (for a turtle, who is much less sensitive to pH than fish).

[@DrewBuildsStuff]

I can’t say I have tried it directly in the tank with fish or even in the water. I would think one of the concerns would be any of the material or styrofoam coming loose and the turtle eating it.

[@SugaryHobgoblin]

@@DrewBuildsStuff you would be right, he is absolutely the type to eat the styrofoam. I'll probably have to cement it and do things the hard way. Oh well, thanks for the video and the response!

[@DrewBuildsStuff]

Try xps foam insulation. Its a lot more rigid than regular styrofoam and doesnt have the little beads that come off easily. From what I’ve seen a lot of people use that in aquariums and silicone it into place

[@GiloMancing]

Nice broo...

[@KuyakoyProductions]

I really likes all your videos.. this video os kind a reliever for me.. looking foward for more build. ❤️

[@crazyfishlady4958]

What glue is being used to put the foam pieces together?

[@channel0712]

How did you secure it behind the tank?

[@gororobadaboa]

in addition to an excellent job and the shapes of the cut that you transmit to the piece, they make the final result look very good... at minute 3:50 I can visualize a perfect face...

[@TheDjmj14]

nice job lovly background :)

[@DrewBuildsStuff]

Thank you 🙂

[@JhunDumsTVXj]

wow beautiful

[@jambee5603]

May i ask what type of glue did you use to stick those styrofoam?

[@lumensLtda]

Hola... Saludos de.chile Cómo que pintaste? Y que pegamento usaste ?

[@iaraciyakabe1330]

Você usou oque pra fazer os efeitos os desenhos 3D

[@sdmcdaniel2255]

It looks really great! I do have to ask though, is that tank big enough for that fish?!? I thought you needed a minimum of 150 gallons for those!

[@kingofking1705]

It's osm I will try

[@daisyvalentine2412]

Is it okay to use foam wallpapers with brick pattern?

[@amarbasha8644]

Can u tell me which cement and paint used

[@rocadefuego2036]

Excelente eres un Genio !!!!!

[@michelnightking8966]

Wow awesome idea💡 🤜🤜🤜

[@manojnirmalkar3156]

Good job 👍

[@huzainiboboy7414]

What glue you use?

[@cruzdicviabdal9503]

Instead of putting much effort in your Background you should think of a much larger tank for your Oscar

[@claudiosabitzer9316]

Really good job! I also wanted to make a Background for my saltwateraquarium.. May I ask you what kind of paint you are using so that its not harmful for the water and the fishes?

[@DrewBuildsStuff]

Its just standard acrylic. The background actually sits behind the glass outside of the aquarium

[@stephenbrown8434]

I also used acrylic paint but just make sure u use water poly acrylic for the fish that way no harm stuff comes of you creation ...be sure to rinse until water is clear before adding any wild life

[@mrgpro9149]

AWESOME

[@Falconurbex]

Awesome m8 what paints do u use to make it fish safe as couldnt see when u showed it to camera due to blairing

[@DrewBuildsStuff]

Any paint would work. This one goes behind the tank not in water. These were craft paints from the dollar store

[@Falconurbex]

@@DrewBuildsStuff Thanks brother i appriciate that. very much keep the awesome videos coming

[@priyankawazir]

Awesome 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@chatterbox2989]

❤fantastic 👏 well done ! Very impressed 🎉 can you please tell me what glue and paints 🎨 you used please 🙏 thank you kindly 🙏 😊 😀

[@yogaadipurwanto1631]

Keren luur.. Mantab...

[@tradersclubacademy3833]

Que tipo de pintura usaste para pintar el unicel? Gracias

[@lukesmiffyps3]

Hi what products did you use that is safe to go inside a tank?

[@DrewBuildsStuff]

Hey Lauren, everything goes behind the tank. More room for the fish and you don’t have to worry about using fish safe products. You can’t tell that it isn’t in the tank unless you look behind

[@KingHenryVR4]

Nice Tiger Oscar

[@mujahidthamagnificent4935]

WOW! Drew, amazing craftsmanship... Do you manufacture & sell? If so, I'm interested...

[@DrewBuildsStuff]

Hey thanks! No i dont sorry

[@mujahidthamagnificent4935]

You're welcome_ great artistic talent_ I'd never be able to duplicate, but thanks again...

[@cocolocobirb981]

Good background but that Oscar is living in the equivalent of a bathroom stall of space

[@shawn2768]

Which colour do u use to paint

[@rjkarate558]

Sir what u used to intact the background color even in water??

[@shaunhall960]

Wow!

[@ericthered9655]

Very impressive. But I'm guessing one can tell it's behind the glass in person.

[@DrewBuildsStuff]

Thank you. It would really depend on the location of your tank, mine is against a wall and you really can’t tell (unless you look behind the tank).

[@saibalghosh6306]

Super bro

[@monkey6815]

Nice

[@cursetheserpent]

Your Oscar needs a bigger tank, He is huge!

[@rendisfidianton9330]

there is a more practical way, draw a pattern on styrofoam and then burn it little by little using a match.. then flush with liquid cement

[@DrewBuildsStuff]

Neat idea, I was thinking about doing another background. The only possible issue would be the fumes from burning styrofoam

[@rendisfidianton9330]

@@DrewBuildsStuff burning smoke, can be overcome using a mask, many ways to be a creative person. good luck for the future

[@92083Barb]

your amazing

[@nicabautista5126]

what kind of paint did you use?

[@mitch1285]

That brand he was using is just normal craft store acrylic paint, you definitely need to put a sealant layer on cause acrylic paint chips

[@user-lk5ry1mt2p]

❤❤❤❤ very nice i will try this in India.

[@semmarant8643]

I will give you thousands of like👍 if i could..👏👏 Thank you amigo😎👌

[@christophervilbar8164]

What paint did you used?

[@mitch1285]

That brand he was using is just normal craft store acrylic paint, you definitely need to put a sealant layer on cause acrylic paint chips

[@umamaheshwarRao]

Did you kept inside or outside of aquraium

[@DrewBuildsStuff]

This one goes outside the tank as the materials used are not fish safe

[@evertblotevogel2987]

Poor Giant fish, hope he's in a bigger tank now.......5 times bigger at least.

[@DrewBuildsStuff]

You bet, he was moved a couple days after the video. He out grew the tank incredibly fast

[@jambee5603]

Nice work, but i think keeping an oscar in that tank size is a bad idea

[@DrewBuildsStuff]

I gave him away shortly after the video to someone with a bigger tank. I got him when he was small, he grew insanely fast

[@elizabethmercerstudent838]

Supply list?

[@selvamsaravanan4661]

Lovely ❤️

[@hugonunez7038]

Que pintura utilizaste

[@MaciejMaszk-kh5so]

Super!

[@tonygoodwinjr9293]

Thank you. Styrofoam is annoying to cut up like that. Stuff sticks to EVERYTHING lol

[@litegaming9354]

Which paint is best for aquarium

[@CELSOLUISMIRANDA]

Com o que que ele está pedindo pintando? Por que não está na legenda ou na descrição? Assim não ajuda muito.

[@StacyBarrow]

Awesome what was used to paint?

[@user-bu3ep5tq2p]

Doesn't matter it's behind the tank not in it

[@davidkauffman2462]

Awesome creativity, looks soooooo real

[@jambee5603]

What type of paint is safe for aquariums?

[@DrewBuildsStuff]

This goes behind the tank so any paint will work

[@Edward-rw3kq]

What paint do you use

[@markcox8956]

Wow😮

[@Novaparyo0]

What paint isn't it?

[@regan035]

How could you keep it in the water instead of floating.

[@DrewBuildsStuff]

I placed the background directly behind the tank (not in the water). You can’t tell the difference when looking from the front of the tank

[@juhilchakravarty9060]

I make different type of Scape and my scape is in the water also

[@lanlanlanlan4307]

What is paint use?

[@luisfernandoacevedo4420]

🤔 ¿Y que clase de pintura es?

[@theodoreeleazar8192]

what kind of liquid paint r you using , is it dangerous for fish ?

[@DrewBuildsStuff]

Since the background itself does not go in the tank (sits behind) any paint will do. I used dollar store acrylic paint.

[@theodoreeleazar8192]

@@DrewBuildsStuff yea i just asked when i was watching in the mid of the video, after i watched fully I notice at the end you put it outside the tank. but forget to delte the comment . anyway thanks for the reply , great creativity bro !

[@WilliamSmith-dg5re]

Your oscar needs a bigger tank