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A refugium is essentially a safe, separate space within a marine or freshwater aquarium system that allows beneficial organisms, plants, or macroalgae to thrive without being disturbed by fish or other tank inhabitants.

This species thrives in well‑lit, shallow waters, often in rockpools or the shallow infralittoral zone. In the UK, it’s found mainly along the south coast of England and Wales, where the water is warm enough to support it.

Well distributed around our coast and at times present in large numbers, in times past they were only landed by fishermen when all other fish were scarce and fetched only a few pence per stone. Dogfishes are commonly sold as 'Rock Salmon' in your local chippy.

They measure no more than about an inch in size, and can be found crawling over and feeding on columns of sea-anemones. The life expectancy of a sea spider is usually about a year.

Native to the Indo-Pacific, these corals thrive in moderate lighting and gentle water flow, making them ideal for both beginner and experienced aquarists. At Real Aquatics, we recommend placing Acans on the sand bed or lower rockwork to mimic their natural habitat and prevent light stress.

Gutweed, Ulva intestinalis is an aptly named Seaweed that can be found in sheltered estuaries, brackish lagoons and upper shore rock pools. The fronds of gutweed comprise of membranous tubes that expand and inflate with exposure to oxygen and sunlight.

Rich in vitamin C and iron, and part of the UK's rich tradition of coastal foraging. If you're heading to the beach and spot some vibrant green seaweed clinging to rocks or floating in the shallows—chances are, you're looking at sea lettuce. 

Wherever you go around our shores in the UK, you're likely to come across many varieties of seaweed on the beach. Below we explore exactly what seaweed is and its role in the local ecosystem.

Shark Nose Gobies eat small crustaceans and parasites in the wild. They will eat finely chopped seafood, frozen foods, and commercial marine omnivore preparations in aquaria, once or twice a day.

Using RO water helps maintain stable water chemistry, reducing fluctuations that can stress marine creatures. Many reef keepers mix RO water with reef-specific salt blends to create an optimal environment that closely mimics natural seawater.