Description

The AquaReady HOB-1.5 is the answer for reef keepers who want genuine protein skimming performance without a sump. Not every setup has room for a refugium cabinet and overflow system — and the HOB-1.5 was built specifically for those situations, hanging cleanly on the back of any standard aquarium and delivering the filtration that a healthy saltwater tank demands.
No sump needed — hangs on any standard aquarium
The HOB-1.5 clamps directly onto the back rim of the tank, with no plumbing, no drilling and no sump required. It fits aquarium rims up to ¾” thick and requires a minimum tank height of 10⅞”, making it compatible with the vast majority of standard reef tanks in the 40–75 gallon range. The only space requirement behind the tank is approximately 4″ of clearance to remove the collection cup.
Modified Sicce SHARK 1.0 pump with proprietary needle-wheel
The heart of the HOB-1.5 is a genuine Italian-made Sicce pump, modified by AquaReady and fitted with their proprietary needle-wheel impeller. This combination draws in and shreds air far more effectively than a stock Sicce pump, generating the fine, dense micro-bubbles that are essential for efficient protein extraction. More bubbles mean more surface area for dissolved organics to bind to — and more waste pulled out of the water column before it breaks down.
Enlarged reaction chamber and bubble diffuser
The HOB-1.5 is an upgrade over its predecessor, featuring an enlarged bubble diffuser and reaction chamber that fully harnesses the output of the SHARK 1.0 pump. Custom conical bubble diffusers reduce turbulence inside the chamber and direct water linearly upward toward the collection cup, improving contact time and the consistency of the foam produced.
Adjustable collection cup — wet or dry skimming on demand
Slide the collection cup up for drier, more concentrated skimmate during normal operation, or down for wetter skimming when bioload spikes — for example after a large feeding or when adding new livestock. A drain fitting is included for reefers who prefer to plumb the cup to a separate waste reservoir rather than emptying it manually.
Fully disassemblable for thorough cleaning
All plumbing on the HOB-1.5 separates completely, allowing access to every surface inside the skimmer body. Cleaning takes minutes rather than the frustrating struggle that sealed-body designs require.
Gas exchange as a secondary benefit
Beyond removing dissolved organics, the HOB-1.5 actively promotes gas exchange at the water surface, improving oxygen saturation throughout the tank — particularly valuable in setups without a sump or refugium providing additional surface agitation.
Tank size recommendations:

Heavy bioload: 40 gallons
Medium bioload: 60 gallons
Light bioload: 75 gallons

Specifications:

Pump: AquaReady SHARK 1.0 (modified Sicce)
Power consumption: 11W
Outlet size: ¾”
Dimensions: 7.5″ L × 3.5″ W × 17″ H
Minimum tank height: 10⅞”
Rim compatibility: up to ¾” thick
Clearance required to remove collection cup: approx. 4″
Warranty: 1 year

In the box: HOB-1.5 skimmer body, SHARK 1.0 pump, collection cup, drain fitting, mounting bracket