When setting up a planted aquarium, one of the most debated equipment choices is the outflow pipe: glass lily pipe or stainless steel jet pipe? Both look beautiful, but they behave very differently. Here's why LitiAquaria chose to specialise in stainless steel — and why it might be the right choice for your tank too.
The Case for Glass Lily Pipes
Glass lily pipes have been a staple of the aquascaping hobby for years. Their appeal is obvious: the transparent glass is nearly invisible in the tank, and the elegant curved design has become iconic in the hobby. Brands like Lily Pipe and ADA popularised the look.
However, glass comes with real trade-offs:
- Fragility — glass pipes break easily during cleaning or if knocked. Replacement costs add up quickly.
- Algae visibility — algae growth inside clear glass is immediately visible and can look unsightly.
- Cleaning difficulty — the curved sections of glass lily pipes are notoriously hard to clean thoroughly without specialised brushes.
- Limited sizes — glass pipes are typically only available in a narrow range of hose diameters.
Why Stainless Steel Wins for Most Aquascapers
Stainless steel jet pipes solve most of the problems above while delivering a clean, modern aesthetic that complements both nature aquariums and Dutch-style tanks.
Durability
Stainless steel doesn't break. You can clean it aggressively, remove it for maintenance, and drop it without worry. For hobbyists who do regular tank maintenance, this alone is a game-changer.
Algae Resistance
The smooth, non-porous surface of stainless steel is far less hospitable to algae than glass. When algae does form, it wipes off easily with very little effort.
Flow Performance
LitiAquaria's jet pipe design creates a directed, laminar flow that gently circulates water across the tank. This is particularly effective for CO2 distribution in planted tanks, helping to deliver dissolved CO2 to plants more evenly than a diffuse spray bar.
Longevity
A quality stainless steel pipe will outlast multiple glass replacements. Over a few years, the cost difference becomes negligible — and stainless steel often works out cheaper in the long run.
When Glass Might Still Be the Right Choice
Glass lily pipes still make sense if you want absolute invisibility in the tank and are willing to handle them carefully. For display tanks that are rarely disturbed, the aesthetic argument for glass is strong.
But for most hobbyists — especially those who do regular maintenance, keep multiple tanks, or want a low-fuss setup — stainless steel is the more practical choice.
LitiAquaria Stainless Steel Jet Pipes
Our jet pipes are available in four sizes to fit virtually every canister filter on the market:
- 9mm Stainless Steel Jet Pipes — for nano filters (e.g. OASE FiltoSmart 60, Eheim 2211)
- 12mm Stainless Steel Jet Pipes — for mid-range filters (e.g. Eheim 2213/2215, Eheim Ecco Pro 2032/2034/2036, OASE FiltoSmart 100)
- 16mm Stainless Steel Jet Pipes — for larger filters (e.g. OASE FiltoSmart 200/300, OASE BioMaster 250/350/600/850, Eheim Professional 3, Fluval 407)
- 19mm Stainless Steel Jet Pipes — for high-flow filters (e.g. Aquael Ultramax 2000, Aquael Hypermax 4500)
Not sure which size fits your filter? Read our complete filter compatibility guide.