Aquarium & Reptile Safe · Made in the USA
Cliff Series Backgrounds
Horizontal strata rock formations, molded from real basalt-style cliff faces in the California desert. Cliff Series backgrounds bring authentic canyon texture to freshwater aquariums and reptile enclosures, engineered to fit standard tank sizes and install in minutes with minimal silicone.
Five sizes, one signature texture
Cliff Series sizes
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36" x 24" Cliff Background
35.5" x 23.5" · 2"–7" thick · Black
Sized for standard 40-gallon breeder tanks and small-to-medium reptile enclosures.
$315
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48" x 24" Cliff Background
47.5" x 23.5" · 2"–7" thick · Black
A step up for larger aquascapes and multi-reptile terrarium setups.
$395
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72" x 24" Cliff Background
71.5" x 23.5" · 2"–7" thick · Black
Built for long, low tank runs, 6-foot reef and cichlid setups included.
$630
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72" x 28" Cliff Background
71.5" x 27.5" · 2"–13" thick · Black
Our deepest relief, generous basking ledges on one face, cave pockets on the flip side.
$790
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120" x 36" Cliff Background
119.5" x 35.5" · 2"–8" thick · Black · Custom base mold
Our largest standard size, and the base mold for fully custom-sized commercial and display tanks.
$1300
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One background, two habitats
Built for aquariums and reptile enclosures alike
For Aquariums
Cichlids, Schooling Fish & Discus
The deep horizontal strata create instant caves, ledges, and hiding spots for freshwater rockscapes and planted tanks, without the weight, sharp edges, or algae headaches of real slate. Sized to fit standard tank footprints, so it installs flush against the back glass with minimal silicone.
- Safe for freshwater fish and planted tanks
- Built-in ledges and cave pockets
- Plug-and-play install, minimal silicone
- Black finish makes fish colors pop
For Reptiles
Bearded Dragons, Snakes & Geckos
Molded from real basalt cliff faces in the California desert, the ledges double as basking shelves and climbing terrain, flip the panel over and the same texture forms cave shadowing for shelter-seeking species. Non-toxic materials are safe for direct habitat use.
- Ledges for basking, ridges for climbing
- Flip for a cave-effect hide layout
- Non-toxic, habitat-safe materials
- Adds enrichment and natural terrain
Shop All Cliff Series Backgrounds
Browse the full Cliff Series lineup, free shipping on every order.
Request a Sample
Not sure the texture or scale is right for your tank or enclosure? Order a sample first. Each Cliff Series background is individually finished, so slight variation is normal from piece to piece, a sample lets you check the fit and finish before committing to a full size.
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Molded from real California cliff faces
Why keepers choose Cliff Series
Authentic Strata
Molded directly from real basalt-style cliff formations for genuine texture and depth.
Lightweight, 9–15 lbs
A fraction of the weight of real rock, easy to handle around glass and livestock.
Plug & Play Install
Minimal silicone needed, most installs go from unboxed to ready in minutes to hours.
Habitat-Safe Materials
Non-toxic construction, safe for direct contact in aquariums and terrariums.
Made in the USA
Proudly handcrafted in Dallas, Texas, using proprietary materials.
Perfect for Any Habitat
Cliff Series backgrounds work beautifully in:
Cichlid & schooling
fish tanks
Discus & planted
freshwater tanks
Bearded dragon
terrariums
Snake & gecko
vivariums
Quality You Can Trust
Every Cliff Series background is molded from real cliff-face texture and finished in our straight black polymer, no crushed rock or sand mix like our other colors, so there's zero color transfer to the touch and a surface that's easy to keep clean. Materials are non-toxic and safe for direct contact with aquatic and terrestrial livestock, whether you're building a planted freshwater tank or a bearded dragon basking setup.
Need more info?No special tools required
Easy to Work With
Cut to Fit
Trim with a straight blade knife (like a sharp pocket knife) or oscillating tool to work around filters, heaters, and background equipment.
Minimal Silicone Install
A thin bead of aquarium-safe silicone against the back glass or enclosure wall is all it takes.
Black Polymer Finish
Cliff Series uses our straight black polymer base, no crushed rock or sand mix like our other colors, so there's zero color transfer to your hands and a surface that's easy to keep clean.
Five Standard Sizes
From 36" x 24" up to 120" x 36", plus that largest mold as the base for fully custom commercial sizing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cliff Series answers
Yes. Cliff Series is made from the same non-toxic materials used across our aquarium and reptile product lines, and is safe for direct contact in freshwater tanks. As with any new décor, we recommend a quick freshwater rinse before install and monitoring water parameters during the first few days, standard practice for any new hardscape. A bit of cloudiness in the days after adding new décor is normal in freshwater tanks and should clear within about two weeks.
Cliff Series ships rolled or folded for easier handling into tanks with or without center braces. If it arrives tied, untie it slowly rather than all at once, so it doesn't snap open near your animals or the enclosure glass. For mounting, we recommend 100% silicone along the back edges, no full-panel adhesive or grout required. Most installs go from unboxed to ready in minutes to hours.
The panel itself works in both settings, but it's a one-or-the-other install. Mounted one way, the horizontal ledges make great basking and climbing terrain for reptiles. Flip the panel over and the same strata forms cave-like shadowing that fish use as shelter in a rockscape or planted aquarium.
Cliff Series comes in five standard sizes, from 36" x 24" for smaller tanks up to 120" x 36" for large display setups. Measure the inside back wall of your tank or enclosure and choose the closest size at or under that footprint, panels can always be trimmed down but not extended. Unsure? Order a sample first.
The 72" x 28" is our deepest-relief size, ranging 2" to 13" thick compared to 2"–7" on the rest of the line. That extra depth means larger basking ledges and deeper cave pockets, ideal for bigger reptiles or a more dramatic aquascape centerpiece.
Yes. The 120" x 36" mold is also the base model we use for fully custom-sized commercial and display tank projects. Visit our custom Cliff Series page to enter your dimensions, or reach out directly and we'll work from that mold to spec your build.
Cliff Series currently ships in black only. Unlike our other colors (Brown, Grey, Castle, Special, and Utah Red), which use a crushed rock and sand finish, black is made from our straight polymer base with no added texture. That means zero color transfer to your hands, and a surface that's highly scratch-resistant and easy to keep clean, though it does make the panel harder to paint or recolor down the road if you ever want to change it up.
Lay it flat in direct sunlight (or use another heat source) to relax it back into shape before mounting. This is normal for a background that ships rolled or folded and doesn't affect the material.
Yes, Cliff Series is rated to withstand direct heat up to 200°F. Just keep any heat lamp or element that could exceed that temperature from touching the background directly.
If your terrarium is waterproof, yes. The background can be drilled to add a small pump-driven waterfall, add moss for extra effect.
Standard sizes ship ground in a box, free shipping to the Lower 48. Bulk or wholesale orders ship on a pallet. International shipping is currently being evaluated on a case-by-case basis, contact us before ordering if you're outside the continental US.