Orphek and The Forever Reef Project — Lighting the Way to Coral Conservation and Biodiversity Protection
Together We Protect Nature’s Biodiversity for Generations to Come
It’s not just about us. It is about ALL of us!
Coral reefs around the globe face unprecedented threats from climate change, pollution, overfishing, and ocean acidification. These vital ecosystems—home to about 25% of all marine species—are essential for global biodiversity and sustain millions of livelihoods.
Yet, despite these challenges, there is hope. Around the world, research institutions, conservation organizations, coral farmers, aquariums, and governments are joining forces to understand coral health, resilience, and adaptation. From spawning labs and genetic biobanks to education programs that raise awareness and promote sustainable practices, innovation is paving the way for reef conservation worldwide.
At Orphek, we believe everyone has a role to play in protecting coral reefs. Our motto, “Together We Protect Nature’s Biodiversity for Generations to Come,” defines everything we do.
By partnering with leading scientists, universities, aquariums, and conservation projects, we develop advanced LED lighting technologies that recreate the ideal conditions for coral growth, coloration, and spawning—empowering not only reef enthusiasts and professionals, but also large-scale restoration and research initiatives.
The Forever Reef Project: A Living Coral Biobank
One of the initiatives we are proudest to support is The Forever Reef Project—a groundbreaking effort led by Great Barrier Reef Legacy to preserve the genetic biodiversity of corals, starting with the Great Barrier Reef.
Based in Port Douglas, North Queensland, the Forever Reef Project has built the world’s first living coral biobank, a true “coral ark” housing live coral fragments and genetic samples under precise Orphek LED lighting.
This biobank already safeguards more than one-third of the Great Barrier Reef’s coral species, making it the first publicly accessible living coral biobank in the world.
By maintaining corals in optimal conditions, the project ensures their health, diversity, and survival—providing an invaluable resource for scientific research, education, and restoration.
Orphek Solution in their facilities
Orphek’s innovative aquarium lighting plays a central role in the project’s success, providing precision lighting conditions that mimic the natural reef environment.
The solutions provided by Orphek – Natura iCon and Atlantik iCon fixtures – play a critical role in maintaining the health and vitality of the corals housed at the Forever Reef Project facility.
By combining conservation expertise with cutting-edge technology, the Forever Reef Project is building hope for the future of reefs worldwide.
Visitors and followers gain unique insights into coral care, husbandry, and growth, while seeing firsthand how collaborations like this can protect the Great Barrier Reef’s biodiversity.
Lighting the Future: Orphek Natura iCon & Atlantik iCon
Light defines the rhythm of coral life—and Orphek’s flagship lighting systems provide the precision, beauty, and intelligence needed to sustain coral ecosystems in captivity and beyond.
Natura iCon — Professional Precision for Coral Research & Public Aquariums
The Orphek Natura iCon represents the next evolution in professional reef lighting—designed specifically for coral propagation, spawning research, and large-scale aquarium systems.
Key Features:
NEW! Sun & Moon Synchronization: Orphek’s groundbreaking feature synchronizes natural solar and lunar cycles with your real local timing (or any location worldwide) for both built-in and custom lighting programs.
IMPROVED! Calendar Control: The new calendar feature allows 100% seasonal lighting control for precise coral spawning simulation—an unprecedented tool for research and breeding facilities.
NEW! 78 Dual-Chip LEDs (6W each): A total of 156 individual chips deliver maximum efficiency, intensity, and spectrum blending perfection.
NEW! Improved LED spectrum: For optimal coral growth & color (form 390 to 740nm) with unmatched light uniformity.
Widest & Most Captivating Blue Spectrum: A newly engineered blue range enhances coral fluorescence, health, and pigmentation.
Provides unmatched uniformity and balance for coral growth and coloration.
Cutting-Edge 10,000% Dimming Control: From 0–100% for daytime and 0.06–1% for moon cycles—creating a true 24-hour natural light experience.
NEW PCB Layout: Optimized for photochemical efficiency and visual harmony, elevating the Natura iCon to a new level of performance and aesthetic refinement.
With this advanced system, the Forever Reef Project achieves the delicate balance of light intensity and spectral accuracy necessary for maintaining coral health, coloration, and spawning readiness throughout the year.
Atlantik iCon — The Benchmark of Advanced Reef Lighting
The Atlantik iCon continues Orphek’s legacy as the most advanced and customizable reef LED system on the market.
Core Benefits:
Improved Spectrum Range (380–740nm): Optimized to promote coral growth and fluorescence while maintaining perfect color rendition.
Intelligent Connectivity: Control your lighting ecosystem via Wi-Fi/Bluetooth with full cloud access.
Smart Grouping & Multiple Device Control: Manage several units effortlessly across large aquarium systems.
Enhanced Cooling & Longevity: Engineered for maximum thermal efficiency and long-term performance stability.
Compact Yet Powerful: Ideal for both professional coral facilities and demanding reef aquariums.
Paired with the Orphek iCon App, the Atlantik iCon becomes a fully integrated lighting experience—merging hardware precision with intuitive software intelligence.
The Orphek iCon App: Total Control, Total Immersion
The Orphek iCon App takes reef lighting control to a new dimension. It allows full management of all iCon devices—Atlantik iCon, Natura iCon, and future iCon series—offering intuitive functionality and deep customization.
Revolutionary Features:
Real-Time Sun & Moon Synchronization: Automatically mirrors natural solar and lunar cycles anywhere in the world, simulating authentic reef conditions.
Advanced Scheduling & Automation: Create, modify, and sync lighting programs across devices with precision timing.
Global Remote Access: Monitor and control your aquarium lighting from anywhere via Wi-Fi.
Instant Program Sharing: Export, import, and share your lighting settings seamlessly.
Smart Monitoring: Integrated data tracking helps analyze performance, ensuring consistency and stability in long-term coral care.
With the iCon App, reef keepers, scientists, and aquarists gain full creative freedom to design lighting environments that perfectly match nature’s rhythms.
Together, these lighting systems create the ideal environment for the Forever Reef Project’s biobank—combining Orphek’s expertise in LED technology with the project’s mission of conservation and hope for reef ecosystems worldwide.
Supporting Innovation: Orphek’s Gadgets for Coral Research & Care
In addition to our lighting solutions, the Forever Reef Project team also uses Orphek’s specialized tools in their daily coral care routines—proving that the right accessories can make a big difference in coral health monitoring, documentation, and photography.
Azurelite 2 Blue + UV Combo Flashlights
More than just lights—these are essential coral research tools.
This combo includes AZURELITE Blue for vibrant coral viewing and AZURELITE UV for in-depth health checks, early problem detection, and specialized fluorescence observation. A full spectrum of reef analysis experience!
What The Forever Reef Project Team can do with Orphek LED Flashlights (and you can do it too!):
Coral Night Feeding Made Easy: Targeted blue light stimulates coral feeding responses, while UV light allows to observe feeding in real-time and ensure optimal nutrient uptake.
Enhanced Color Pop & Stunning Photography: Unleash hidden beauty of corals! AZURELITE UV intensifies natural fluorescence, creating stunning ‘color pop’ perfect for breathtaking reef photography and visual enjoyment.
Early Health Inspection Tool: Identify potential coral health issues before they become major problems. AZURELITE UV reveals subtle changes in tissue, inflammation, and other indicators of stress that are invisible under normal lighting.
Orphek Lens Kits
The team also plans to integrate Orphek’s Omini 77mm Magnetic Lens Filters and the Orphek 52mm Extra Wide Coral Lens Kit as they expand in-house filming and upgrade their photo booth system.
This system is used to scan RFID chips embedded in each coral frag and to track growth, weight, and subtle color changes over time.
And since accurate color capture has long been a challenge with existing cameras, the team is eager to explore how these lens kits can enhance both scientific documentation and visual storytelling.
Orphek Omini 77mm Magnetic Lens Filters
Designed for professional aquariums, researchers, and serious coral photographers, the Omini 77mm Magnetic Lens Filters bring laboratory-grade precision to reef photography.
Key Benefits:
Professional-Grade Results: Capture vivid, distortion-free coral portraits without specialized equipment.
True-to-Life Color Reproduction: Combine the 15,000K orange and 20,000K yellow lenses for authentic aquarium color balance.
Magnified Visual Precision: Perfect for maintenance, frag inspections, and close-up documentation.
Hands-Free Magnetic Mounting: Attach securely to aquarium glass for convenient, stable operation.
These lenses allow for both scientific accuracy and artistic expression, making them ideal for educational and conservation storytelling.
Orphek 52mm Extra Wide Coral Lens Kit
For aquarists, filmmakers, and educators, the Orphek 52mm Extra Wide Coral Lens Kit delivers stunning wide-angle views of reef systems with enhanced optical clarity.
Why It Stands Out:
Ultra-Wide Coverage: Capture more of your reef in a single frame—ideal for documentation and public outreach.
High Optical Precision: Specialized coating ensures crisp, distortion-free images even under intense LED light.
Enhanced Color Accuracy: Filters correct blue light dominance, reproducing the true hues of your corals.
Perfect for Content Creators: Essential for social media, educational videos, and coral research imaging.
A Shared Vision for the Future
The collaboration between Orphek and The Forever Reef Project is more than a partnership—it’s a shared vision of protecting marine biodiversity through innovation and education.
By combining cutting-edge technology with conservation expertise, we are not only lighting the world’s reefs—we are helping secure their future.
Together, we bring hope, awareness, and action to one of the planet’s most precious ecosystems.
Together, we protect Nature’s biodiversity for generations to come.
Links:
- The Forever Reef Project
- Bubble Tip Anemones Thriving with Orphek Lighting
- Orphek iCon LED Solutions and Coral Farms
- Orphek at Aquarium de Biarritz – Amazonas 500 Lighting The 1,500,000 Liters Shark Tank
Photo Credits:
Great Barrier Reef Legacy/ The Forever Reef Project
Phot Credits of Orphek products: Orphek LED Lighting