How to Adhere a Background to a Terrarium

Paper Backgrounds

• 1

  Print out your own background or purchase one. If you make your own background out of paper, laminate it before installing it. This will protect it from humidity and accidental tearing, and will make it last longer.

• 2

  Measure the space where the background will be placed. Lay out your background on a flat surface and cut it to fit the measurements.

• 3

  Adhere the background to the outside of the back panel of the terrarium. Use clear scotch or packing tape and wrap it around all four corners of the back of the terrarium.

• 4

  Add the rocks, soil, plants and animals to your terrarium.

Three-Dimensional, Natural Backgrounds

• 5

  Measure the space where the background will be placed. Lay out your background on a flat surface and cut it to fit the measurements.

• 6

  Spray the back of the background with any aquarium-safe silicone sealant. These are adhesives made to withstand humid conditions.

• 7

  Attach the background to the inside of the back panel of the terrarium. Unlike paper backgrounds, these type of backgrounds should go on the inside of the terrarium, so that plants can grow and climb on them. Press it into place until the adhesive dries, which should only take a few seconds.

• 8

  Look for gaps between the surface of the terrarium and the background. This sometimes happens with backgrounds made from natural materials, as they do not always lie perfectly flat. Fill in any gaps with dirt so that animals will not get trapped behind the background.

• 9

  Add the rocks, soil, plants and animals to your terrarium.