# Best Lily Pipes for Canister Filters (2026) Source: https://aquascapenest.com/best/lily-pipes Publisher: Aquascape Nest. Our score is an editorial rating out of 10 (fit 35%, features 25%, build 20%, value 20%), not a customer rating. Method: https://aquascapenest.com/how-we-research#our-score Lily pipes replace the green plastic inflow and outflow that come with a canister filter. The outflow spreads water in a wide, gentle fan instead of a jet, which suits planted tanks, and clear glass all but disappears in a rimless scape. The single most important spec is tubing size: most sets come in 13mm for 1/2 inch ID (12/16mm) hose and 17mm for 5/8 inch ID (16/22mm) hose, and a mismatch means a leak or a pipe that will not seat. Glass looks best but breaks if dropped and needs regular cleaning with a long brush, since biofilm shows quickly. Stainless steel is nearly unbreakable and hides dirt, but it is opaque and usually freshwater only. Skimmer inflows pull the surface film off the water as well, which helps with oily film in tanks with heavy feeding or liquid fertilizer. This guide compares glass kits in both common sizes, two skimmer sets, a budget poppy-style set and two stainless options. ## Picks ### 1. FZONE 17mm Glass Lily Pipe Kit with Inflow Outflow for Aquarium(16/22mm) Our score: 8.2/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10) Hand-blown borosilicate glass inflow and outflow in 17mm for 5/8 inch ID (16/22mm) tubing, with a two-head spring brush. A clean default for mid-size canister filters. Pros: - Laboratory-grade borosilicate glass that stays nearly invisible in a rimless planted tank - Precisely cut intake slits at the end of the inflow, with room to fit a shrimp guard - Spring brush included, which you need from the first month for glass pipes Cons: - Only fits 5/8 inch ID hose, so 1/2 inch filters need the 13mm version - Glass pipes break if knocked while cleaning or rescaping Details: https://aquascapenest.com/product/B09H2BW2K5 ### 2. LINLAN 304 Stainless Steel Lily Pipe Inflow and Outflow with Mini Aluminum Alloy Pipe Holder, 360° Rotatable Outflow, Fits 1/2 Inch ID Filter Hose, for Rimless Aquariums (1/2") Our score: 8.0/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10) 304 stainless steel inflow and outflow for 1/2 inch ID hose with aluminum rim clips for glass up to 12mm thick. Freshwater only. Pros: - Stainless steel will not shatter and hides biofilm far better than glass - Outflow spout rotates 360 degrees to aim flow without moving the clip - Slotted inflow keeps shrimp and fry out while drawing in debris Cons: - Listing states it is not suitable for saltwater - Opaque metal is visible in the scape, unlike clear glass Details: https://aquascapenest.com/product/B0GGRB4W78 ### 3. FZONE Aquarium Glass Lily Pipe Set with Surface Skimmer (16/22mm) Our score: 7.9/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10) Glass outflow plus a skimmer inflow with a floating acrylic top for 5/8 inch ID (16/22mm) tubing. Takes surface film off while feeding the canister. Pros: - Skimmer inflow rides up and down with the water level, so evaporation does not stop it - Rotating base sets the split between surface and lower intake - Removes oily surface film without adding a separate skimmer to the tank Cons: - Acrylic float parts are bulkier and more visible than a plain glass inflow - Skimmer moving parts need more cleaning than a fixed pipe Details: https://aquascapenest.com/product/B085LG7VB3 ### 4. Hygger CO2 17mm Aquarium Glass Lily Pipe with Inflow, Outflow and Brush & 6 Suction Cups for 5/8" ID (16/22mm) Tubing Our score: 7.8/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10) Glass lily pipe inflow and outflow for 5/8 inch ID (16/22mm) hose with a long-bristle cleaning brush. The lower-priced glass option in the larger size. Pros: - Cheapest full glass inflow and outflow set here in the 17mm size - Inflow has wider intake slits that draw water from a taller column - Cleaning brush with extra-long bristles comes in the box Cons: - Listing title mentions 6 suction cups while the package list says 4, so count on 4 - Newer listing with less track record than the long-running FZONE pipes Details: https://aquascapenest.com/product/B0FPF3TPBX ### 5. Glass Lily Pipe Inflow & Violet Outflow - Aquarium Planted Tank Aquascaping (13mm for 12/16mm (1/2'' ID) tubing) Our score: 7.6/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10) 13mm glass inflow with a violet-style flared outflow for 1/2 inch ID (12/16mm) hose. Fits common small canisters such as many Eheim and Tetra models. Pros: - 13mm size for 1/2 inch hose, the size used on many smaller canister filters - Each pipe holds with two suction cups instead of one, so it twists less - Flared violet outflow gives a soft, wide flow suited to moderate-flow fish Cons: - No cleaning brush in the package, buy one separately - Price is close to the larger 17mm kits despite the smaller size Details: https://aquascapenest.com/product/B01N57IBA7 ### 6. FZONE Aquarium Glass Mini Skimmer Lily Inflow and Outflow Sets for Mini Nano Tanks Filter Pipes(for 1/2inch Tubing) Our score: 7.6/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10) Mini 6.5 inch skimmer inflow and outflow set for nano filters on 1/2 inch ID hose, with a 10 to 13mm glass adapter for 9mm ID tubing. Pros: - Short 6.5 inch height suits nano and shallow tanks where full pipes are too tall - Glass adapter included for small 9mm ID hoses on mini canisters - Floating skimmer inflow clears surface film in small tanks Cons: - Too short for standard-height tanks of 16 inches or more - Acrylic skimmer section is less discreet than all-glass pipes Details: https://aquascapenest.com/product/B095YPLTWZ ### 7. Caylingdee Poppy Pipe Glass Inflow Outflow Set Aquatic U Shape Inflow Pipe Set for Aquarium Planted Tank Filter 13mm for 12/16mm(1/2" ID) Tubing Our score: 7.2/10 (Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10) Glass poppy-style outflow and U-shaped inflow for 1/2 inch ID (12/16mm) hose at about half the price of the name-brand glass kits. Pros: - Lowest price in the guide for a complete glass inflow and outflow pair - Poppy outflow spreads water in a gentle ring, good for plants and slow swimmers - 13mm size fits the common 1/2 inch canister hose Cons: - Lesser-known brand with no cleaning brush in the package - Listing gives no detail on glass type or wall thickness Details: https://aquascapenest.com/product/B0B4FSCPSP As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.