Stainless Steel Lily Pipes with Surface Skimmer (12/16 mm or 16/22 mm)

Fed up with an oily film clouding your tank’s surface, or nervous every time you handle fragile glass lily pipes? Then you need the Castle Dawn Aquatics Stainless Steel Lily Pipes with Skimmer! These stainless steel inflow and outflow pipes are made for external canister filters on freshwater and planted aquariums, and they will not crack or shatter like glass when you scrub your hoses or service your filter.

Plus, the built-in surface skimmer pulls oily film, dust and organic scum from the surface, helping light and gas exchange reach your tank, while the lower intake slots draw water from below. Get the size right for your hose, and you have a clean, sleek, easy-to-maintain filter setup that makes your aquascape look as good as it is to look after.

What’s Included:

• 1 × Stainless Steel Inflow Pipe with Surface Skimmer
• 1 × Stainless Steel Outflow Pipe
• Clear mounting clips

Size:
Choose by your filter hose inner diameter:

• 12 mm set: for 12/16 mm hose (1/2 inch ID). Pipe outer diameter: 13 mm (0.51 inches).
• 16 mm set: for 16/22 mm hose (5/8 inch ID). Pipe outer diameter: 17 mm (0.67 inches).

12 mm set dimensions:

• Outflow pipe: 4.5 cm (1.77 inches) wide, short leg 10 cm (3.94 inches), long leg 20 cm (7.87 inches)
• Inflow pipe with skimmer: 4.5 cm (1.77 inches) wide, short leg 20 cm (7.87 inches), overall height 30 cm (11.81 inches), slotted intake section 20 cm (7.87 inches)

16 mm set dimensions:

• Outflow pipe: 6.5 cm (2.56 inches) wide, short leg 15 cm (5.91 inches), long leg 25 cm (9.84 inches)
• Inflow pipe with skimmer: 6.5 cm (2.56 inches) wide, short leg 25 cm (9.84 inches), overall height 34 cm (13.39 inches), slotted intake section 20 cm (7.87 inches)

Best For:

• Freshwater and planted aquariums
• External canister filters
• Aquascapers who want a sleek metal look instead of glass
• Tanks that suffer from oily surface film

Key Features:

• Hose fit: 12/16 mm (1/2 inch ID) or 16/22 mm (5/8 inch ID) tubing
• Integrated surface skimmer: removes oily surface film, dust and organic scum to support light penetration and gas exchange across the water surface.
• Stainless steel construction: durable, rust-resistant and built for continuous exposure to water and routine cleaning.
• Shatterproof: takes the stress out of hose scrubbing and filter maintenance compared with fragile glass lily pipes.
• Precision-cut inflow slots: provide strong suction and help keep small fish, dwarf shrimp and snails out of your filter.
• Adjustable intake flow: fine-tune the suction balance between the surface skimmer and the lower intake slots.
• Curved outflow pipe: directs water across the tank to help with circulation, CO2 distribution, nutrient delivery and surface aeration.
• Two adjustment styles: adjust underwater from the bottom, or adjust from above with a rod, so you don't need to put your hand in the tank.

Compatibility & Limitations:

• Designed for external canister filters on freshwater and planted aquariums.
• Always check your filter hose inner diameter before choosing the 12 mm or 16 mm set.
• Prefer a standard setup without surface skimming? Choose our standard Stainless Steel Lily Pipes for a classic inflow and outflow set-up.

How to Use:

• Mount the pipes in your tank with the clear clips.
• Connect the pipes to your canister filter hoses.
• Balance the flow between the surface skimmer and the lower intake slots. With the underwater-adjust version, turn the bottom adjustment valve on the lower inflow pipe. With the top-adjust version, use the rod from above.
• Closing the lower intake slightly increases skimming power, which helps pull down heavier biofilm layers.

Care:

• Disconnect the pipes from your filter hose during routine maintenance and run a flexible double-ended spring brush through the inside.
• Lift off the skimmer cup to rinse out trapped plant leaves or debris.

Quick Answers:

• How does the surface skimmer work? The acrylic skimmer cup sits at the water surface, and the suction from your canister filter pulls surface water, biofilm and floating debris down through the pipe, while the lower slots draw water from the bottom of the tank.
• How do I balance the flow between the skimmer and the bottom intake? Adjust the bottom valve, or the top rod on the top-adjust version. Closing the lower intake slightly increases skimming power.
• Which size do I need? The 12 mm set fits 12/16 mm (1/2 inch ID) hose, and the 16 mm set fits 16/22 mm (5/8 inch ID) hose.
• Are these suitable for planted tanks? Yes, they are freshwater and safe for planted tanks.
• How do I clean them? Disconnect the pipes during maintenance and clean the inside with a flexible double-ended spring brush.