AquaMaxx HOB-1.5 Hang-On-Back Protein Skimmer fit check
AquaMaxx HOB-1.5 Hang-On-Back Protein Skimmer is an HOB protein skimmer rated up to 75 gallons. Box ratings assume light stocking, so ReefCrafter scales them by bioload: about 50 gallons lightly stocked, 40 gallons medium, or 30 gallons for a heavily fed fish tank.
AquaMaxx HOB-1.5 Hang-On-Back Protein Skimmer: fits roughly 20-75 gallon systems. Specs, compatibility math, sizing risks, and alternatives before you buy.
Who it is for
Good fit for
- ✓ 20-75 gallon systems, per the catalog fit range.
- ✓ Heavily fed tanks up to about 30 gallons, or lightly stocked tanks up to about 50 gallons.
Not a fit for
- ✕ Tanks under about 20 gallons; it is sized above them.
- ✕ Systems over about 75 gallons without adding capacity elsewhere.
- ✕ Heavy-bioload tanks above about 30 gallons; the box rating assumes light stocking.
Listed features
- HOB
- needle wheel pump
- ~175 GPH air draw
- acrylic body
Compatibility math
Bioload headroom
Example: On a 75g mixed reef, ReefCrafter wants about 150g of skimmer rating for medium bioload.
AquaMaxx HOB-1.5 Hang-On-Back Protein Skimmer is rated around 75g, so the useful question is whether that clears the fish load with margin.
Risk notes
- A skimmer can be fine for a light reef and thin for the same tank once feeding and fish load increase.
- Price is marked as estimated, so verify current vendor pricing before treating the budget as final.
Professional fit context
- Compare rated maximum gallons, physical fit, cup clearance, noise, and bioload margin.
- AquaMaxx HOB-1.5 Hang-On-Back Protein Skimmer fits roughly 20-75 gallon systems; confirm that range against the final display volume, sump volume, and livestock plan.
- Treat the displayed price as a budget placeholder until a reviewed vendor page confirms current pricing.
Alternatives to compare
- Eshopps PSK-75H Hang-On-Back Protein Skimmer
Same 75 gallon rating; compare format and features instead.
- AquaReady HOB-1.5 Hang-On-Back Protein Skimmer
Same 75 gallon rating; compare format and features instead.
- IceCap K1-100 Protein Skimmer
80 gallon rating vs 75: more skimming headroom.
Livestock this affects
- Powder blue tang
Bioload score 3.4; size the skimmer for heavy feeding.
- Foxface rabbitfish
Bioload score 3.2; size the skimmer for heavy feeding.
- Purple tang
Bioload score 3; size the skimmer for heavy feeding.
- Yellow tang
Bioload score 3; size the skimmer for heavy feeding.
Full spec snapshot
- Category
- Skimmers
- Build tier
- Budget
- Estimated price
- $149 est.
- Tank fit range
- fits roughly 20-75 gallon systems
- Format
- HOB
- Rated skimmer capacity
- 75 gal
Related reading
Questions
Is the AquaMaxx HOB-1.5 Hang-On-Back Protein Skimmer big enough for my tank?
It is rated up to 75 gallons. ReefCrafter wants 1.5x, 2x, or 2.5x the display volume in skimmer rating by bioload, so it fits about 50 gallons lightly stocked, 40 medium, or 30 heavily fed.
What tank size is the AquaMaxx HOB-1.5 Hang-On-Back Protein Skimmer for?
ReefCrafter's catalog fit range for it is 20-75 gallon systems. Confirm that against your final display volume, sump volume, and livestock plan rather than the box label alone.
What should I compare the AquaMaxx HOB-1.5 Hang-On-Back Protein Skimmer against?
Eshopps PSK-75H Hang-On-Back Protein Skimmer (Same 75 gallon rating; compare format and features instead); AquaReady HOB-1.5 Hang-On-Back Protein Skimmer (Same 75 gallon rating; compare format and features instead); IceCap K1-100 Protein Skimmer (80 gallon rating vs 75: more skimming headroom).
Similar fit checks
