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About Behind Glass: Aquarium Simulator
Behind Glass: Aquarium Simulator lets players build and manage 3D aquariums in a sandbox setting, offering both freshwater and saltwater options. The game emphasizes creative freedom, realistic fish behavior, and a calming atmosphere for both hobbyists and casual players. All content is unlocked from the start, providing instant access to decorations, plants, and over 280 fish species plus crabs, turtles, and axolotls, while a water‑chemistry system lets you fine‑tune pH and salinity for optimal care.
01 / THE GUIDE
Aquarium Creation
The sandbox environment lets you design stunning 3D aquariums with complete creative freedom, letting you arrange decorations and plants as you wish. Both freshwater and saltwater tanks are available, each presenting its own visual style and design considerations. You can place any combination of creatures and décor without restrictions, allowing you to experiment with layout and décor to achieve a personalized underwater scene.
- Start with a simple layout before adding complex structures to gauge visual balance.
- Use contrasting plant colors to highlight focal fish species.
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Species Variety
The game offers over 280 unique fish species, plus crabs, turtles, and axolotls, providing a broad palette for aquarium stocking. Each creature displays detailed animations and realistic behaviors, enhancing immersion. Mixing species is encouraged, allowing diverse habitats that reflect real‑world ecosystems while maintaining visual appeal.
- Group similarly sized fish to reduce visual clutter.
- Observe each species' movement patterns for optimal placement.

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Water Chemistry Simulation
Behind Glass includes an immersive water chemistry system where players can adjust pH, salinity, and other parameters to suit their aquatic inhabitants. This adds a scientific layer to the aesthetic focus, encouraging careful management. Fine‑tuning these values helps maintain healthy fish and can be used to experiment with different habitat conditions for both freshwater and saltwater setups.
- Start with neutral pH values and modify gradually.
- Record parameter changes to track their impact on fish health.
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Designer Mode
For players seeking a stress‑free experience, Designer Mode removes constraints, letting you focus solely on visual design and aesthetics. No gameplay systems limit placement or species selection, making it ideal for pure creativity. This mode is perfect for planning layouts, or simply enjoying the meditative process of building beautiful underwater scenes.
- Use Designer Mode to prototype complex arrangements.
- Experiment freely with décor placement without worrying about fish needs.
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Platform and Feature Support
Behind Glass runs on Windows and macOS, supporting single‑player gameplay with Steam achievements, Workshop integration, and Cloud saves. Family Sharing allows multiple accounts to access the same installation. All content is available immediately, eliminating grind or locked items, and the Steam Workshop enables community‑created content to expand creative possibilities.
- Enable Steam Cloud to keep your aquariums synced across devices.
- Browse the Workshop for fresh décor ideas.





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