Issues with Glass Lily Pipes?

[John N.]

One of my biggest problems with glass lily pipes is I always have to clean them. They'll get gunked up with brown detris if not cleaned regularly. Anyone else encounter similar issues with glass lily pipes?

Oh, and how much of a benefit is the vortex that is created by the outflow?

-John N.

[Anti-Pjerrot]

How do you clean them? Soak them in clorine and rince?

[Orlando]

Tube brushes work great for cleaning them, I found that if you visit your local home brew beer store they have a great selection of brushes..

[Roy Deki]

I have had them and will not use them again. To me they look great work well, but for the cost and the hassel of having to keep them crystal clear was not worth it. I'd rather have the green Eheim look myself. I don't feel like I have to clean them as often.

[Jdinh04]

I don't really have glass lily pipes and don't really see a reason to have them. All they are is transparent tubes that will eventually get dirty and will require cleaning. Then when photos are taken, people end up removing them anyways so I don't really see a point in using them. They are fancy yes, but just really not worth the work to cleaning them and potentionally risk breaking them. Its a lose-lose situation for me :/.

But I will tell you a good technique that I found. Back when I was running canister filters, I would have to clean the tubing so that my fllow rate is increased. I was able to easily clean the tubes by cutting a small piece of a dish washing scrub (the green kinds). I would then form it into a small ball, maybe a marble size. I would then stick it through the tubing, and run hot water from the faucet and the pressure from the water moves the scrub ball down the tube, therfore cleaning it.

You can try it with the glass lily pipes, i'm sure they'll work out the same. Good luck!

[John N.]

Originally Posted by Anti-Pjerrot

How do you clean them? Soak them in clorine and rince?

Yup, quick 5 minute dip in a bucket of 10to1 water and bleach. And then a pressure rinse with a hose. Hardest part is pulling them off the tubing. After a few months of doing that I had to switch back to my green spray bar and outflow (which I spray painted black to blend in with the background, worked very well). Only thing I was missing was the extra flow that was felt when using the single spout outflow.

I know a lot of people would love to have an all glass hardware, but I think a lot of people underestimate the extra work to keep them looking as nice as they do.

-John N.

[goalcreas]

I have always been able to clean them with just running water and flex brushes (bottle type just longer) without any problems.

Glass diffusers and the Disc's, Those I clean with Bleach, but straight, not a 10/1 mix.