The Forever Reef Project biobank and Orphek technologies preserving coral biodiversity for the future.
Last October, Orphek formally announced its partnership with The Forever Reef Project, a global conservation initiative led by Great Barrier Reef Legacy.
United by a shared commitment to coral biodiversity, this collaboration brings together conservation science and advanced reef lighting technology to protect coral species increasingly threatened by climate change, pollution, and ocean warming.
Based in Port Douglas, North Queensland, the Forever Reef Project is developing something unprecedented: the world’s first publicly accessible living coral biobank — often described as a coral ark for the Great Barrier Reef.
Through this initiative, live coral fragments and genetic material are safeguarded under carefully controlled conditions, preserving biodiversity for long-term scientific research, education, public awareness, and future reef restoration efforts.
Today, the Forever Reef Project already protects more than one-third of the Great Barrier Reef’s known coral species, thereby positioning it among the most ambitious coral conservation initiatives ever undertaken.
Precision Light for a Living Coral Biobank
Maintaining corals outside their natural reef environment requires extreme precision.
Among all environmental parameters, light plays a defining biological role, as it directly influences photosynthesis, growth rates, pigmentation stability, and long-term resilience.
For this reason, Orphek LED lighting systems are installed throughout the Forever Reef Project facilities. These systems provide reef-accurate lighting conditions across multiple coral holding and research environments.
Specifically, these installations rely on Orphek Atlantik iCon, a proven high-performance lighting platform trusted worldwide by public aquariums, coral farms, and research institutions.
By translating natural reef light dynamics into controlled, reproducible environments, Orphek lighting supports the environmental consistency required for long-term conservation and rigorous scientific study.
Raceway 4: Project Expansion Powered by Orphek Natura iCon Latest Spectrum &Technology
Building on this established foundation, the Forever Reef Project has recently commissioned Raceway 4, marking a significant expansion of its living coral biobank.
For this new raceway, the project selected Orphek Natura iCon — Orphek’s latest-generation LED lighting solution, specifically engineered for large-scale coral husbandry, research, and conservation environments.
At the core of Raceway 4, Natura iCon delivers:
- Balanced, biologically relevant full-spectrum output
- Uniform light distribution across large raceway systems
- Long-term photobiological stability for sensitive coral species
This selection reflects both the evolving needs of the project and the continued trust placed in Orphek technology as the facility expands.
Consequently, Raceway 4 increases the project’s capacity to house, study, and safeguard coral species from the Great Barrier Reef under lighting conditions engineered for conservation-grade performance, while also supporting educational access and long-term research objectives.
A Reef Reset — Coral Seen Up Close
Alongside facility expansion, the Forever Reef Project has also conducted macro-scale imaging and video documentation while assessing Orphek optical lens (Orphek’s Omini 77mm Magnetic Lens Filters and the Orphek 52mm Extra Wide Coral Lens Kit) configurations under controlled aquarium conditions.
This approach enables detailed observation of coral tissue, skeletal microstructure, and surface morphology in response to defined lighting parameters.
At high magnification, light-driven physiological responses become clearly observable, including variations in pigmentation density, tissue thickness, and polyp behavior.
Moreover, reef-optimized spectra and uniform photon delivery help minimize localized photoinhibition. As a result, they support stable photosynthetic performance of symbiotic dinoflagellates (Symbiodiniaceae).
When applied consistently, macro-level documentation provides non-invasive indicators of coral health, thereby supporting evaluations of photoadaptation, stress mitigation, and long-term acclimation under artificial lighting regimes.
As the Forever Reef Project shared:
“A little reef reset for your nervous system ✨
Up close, coral is pure magic — shifting colours, wild shapes, and tiny movements you only notice when you slow down.”
Quarentine Tank Behind the Scenes
Behind the scenes at Forever Reef Project, they been building a purpose-built quarantine facility — a vital step in caring for the world’s most diverse collection of Great Barrier Reef corals.
“Quarantine allows new coral fragments to be carefully observed, treated if needed, and protected from pests or disease before joining the living biobank. It’s quiet, meticulous, and absolutely critical work, made possible by our dedicated team and industry partners…”
Orphek Technologies Supporting the Forever Reef Project
To meet the demands of a living coral biobank, lighting must go far beyond aesthetics.
At the Forever Reef Project, Orphek provides proven and next-generation lighting solutions designed for scientific accuracy, durability, and control.
Atlantik iCon
Deployed across existing systems within the facility, Atlantik iCon delivers:
- High-output, reef-optimized spectral performance
- Advanced control via the Orphek iCon platform
- Proven long-term reliability in professional reef environments
Natura iCon
Selected for the Raceway 4 expansion, Natura iCon represents Orphek’s latest advancement in conservation-focused lighting, offering:
- Full-spectrum output engineered for coral biology
- Exceptional spread and intensity uniformity
- Stability designed for research and long-term coral preservation
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 Include:
- 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.
As such, 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
Meanwhile, 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 Trusted Technology — Evolving With the Project
From established systems to new expansions, Orphek lighting continues to support the Forever Reef Project as it grows — providing continuity, reliability, and innovation at every stage.
Together, this collaboration demonstrates how trusted technology and conservation science evolve side by side, strengthening efforts to protect coral biodiversity for generations to come.
From home aquariums to the world’s largest public displays, Orphek gives aquarists complete control over every spectrum, transforming reef tanks into living showcases.
ORPHEK— MASTER EVERY SPECTRUM!
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PUBLIC AQUARIUMS / VENUES/ AMAZONAS SERIES:
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ORPHEK LENS KITS (GADGET)
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Links:
- When Reef Lighting Goes Beyond Nature
- Beyond Sun & Moon Synchronization: Orphek App Launches Advanced Lunar Brightness Control
- 200-Gallon SPS Reef Tank Powered by Orphek – Collector Coral Corals Farm
- Public Aquariums
- 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 & Video Credits:
- Great Barrier Reef Legacy/ The Forever Reef Project
- Photo Credits of Orphek products: Orphek LED Lighting
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“Together we protect Nature’s Biodiversity for generations to come”.
Loving Nature as we do and being environment sustainably conscious, Orphek only develops products with a significant positive impact in everyone’s life, therefore we only offer the best environmentally friendly solutions that combine the most advanced & efficient technology and, most importantly, aiming the well-being of animals and humans all together, for now and for generations to come