Aquapro Glass Lily Pipe Set with Surface Skimmer

Most planted tanks end up with two things at the surface you'd rather not see: a dull, oily film that dims your light and slows gas exchange, and a pair of chunky filter pipes spoiling the view. This set deals with both. You get a clear glass lily outlet and a glass inlet with a surface skimmer built in, so your canister filter cleans the surface while it filters and the pipework all but disappears against the scape.

The inlet does the skimming. A slotted crown sits at the waterline and draws the top layer of water, along with the film, scum and floating bits, straight into your filter. Further down the tube a second slotted strainer keeps water feeding the filter if the level drops between top-ups, and stops leaves, shrimp and small fish from being pulled in. There's no motor, no power lead and no separate skimmer taking up space in the tank.

The outlet's flared lily bell spreads the return into a wide, gentle current instead of a hard jet. CO₂ and nutrients are carried evenly around the tank, the surface keeps moving so oxygen exchange stays up, and your fish and stem plants aren't getting blasted.

Both pipes are borosilicate glass, hold in place with the four included suction cups and push straight onto your filter hose. Pick the size that matches your tubing, 12/16 mm or 16/22 mm, and keep them clear with a flexible pipe brush.

Benefits

• Clears surface film automatically, with no extra equipment in the tank
• Gentle, even flow for better CO₂ and nutrient distribution
• Dual intake keeps your filter fed if the water level drops
• Slotted strainer keeps shrimp, fry and debris out of the filter
• Clear glass keeps the focus on your aquascape

Setting it up

Hang the inlet over the rim and set your water level so the surface sits within the slots of the skimmer crown. Too low and it can't reach the film; too high and it just draws water like a standard intake. Top up as the tank evaporates and it will keep skimming.

Choose your hose size

The U-bend span is the widest rim, lid edge or brace each pipe will hang over.

What's included

• 1 × glass inlet with surface skimmer (size as selected)
• 1 × glass lily outlet (size as selected)
• 4 × suction cups

Please note: glass lily pipes are fragile. Check yours over when it arrives, and go gently when fitting or cleaning it. Treated with reasonable care it'll last for years.