The Complete Guide to Vivarium Backgrounds
Everything you need to choose, measure and fit the perfect background for your enclosure. From ready-made designs to completely bespoke themes at no additional design cost, this guide answers the questions we're most often asked about our Viv Creations backgrounds.
Choosing the Right Vivarium Background
Your background can completely transform the look of an enclosure. At Viv Creations, you can choose from our huge range of ready-made designs or have something completely bespoke created for you at no additional cost.
We can create backgrounds for reptiles and small animals in virtually any theme - from natural desert, rock, jungle and woodland scenes to Jurassic, fantasy and completely personalised designs. Backgrounds can be made for the internal back wall only or internal back and side walls to create a more immersive enclosure.
We can also provide self-adhesive vinyl for the external sides and top of your enclosure, perfect if you'd like to change it's colour or coordinate the outside with your chosen design. Adhesive trims can even be added to the top and bottom front edges to bring the whole creation together.
How to Measure
For the best fit, measure the external size of your vivarium or enclosure, rather than relying on the advertised size. Internal dimensions can vary between manufacturers. If you have the make and model of your vivarium, please include these also. The more information we receive the better for ensuring that perfect internal fit. Next, measure the internal area where your background will actually be fitted.
Measure the length and height of your back wall and, if you'd like matching sides, measure the width and height of the side walls too. If you're ordering vinyl to cover the outside of your enclosure, measure each external panel you'd like covered separately.
If you're unsure what measurements we need, just get in touch before ordering and we'll be happy to help.
Self-Adhesive or Non-Adhesive - Which should I Choose?
Self-adhesive backgrounds are designed to be applied directly to the inside of the enclosure, by peeling off the backing sheet as you fit, giving a smooth, neat finish without the need for separate adhesive. Careful fitting is important, so we recommend fitting these before additional fixtures such as lighting, heat and substrates are added. Pre-built enclosures are more suited for our self adhesive option. We recommend watching our fitting guide before you begin.
Non-adhesive backgrounds are supplied without an adhesive backing, giving you more flexibility when fitting, making them a good choice if your enclosure is already fitted with lighting and accessories or accessibility is limited. Also a good choice if you prefer to have the choice to swap and change the backgrounds.
Both options use the same premium PVC-free, non-toxic, heat-resistant, and water-resistant material, so your choice comes down to how you prefer to fit your background
How to Fit a Self-Adhesive Vivarium Background
For the best finish, we recommend watching our fitting guide before you begin. Our step-by-step video shows how to position and apply your self adhesive background smoothly and helps avoid bubbles, creases and misalignment.