In plant tanks, the plant can usually out complete the algae (same way reefers use mangrove to control algae). Plants are also generally hardier (its a simpler organism) that can stave off the "downward spiral" that i explained in my last post. Corals, by comparison, are much harder to maintain, esp in artifical conditions like our tanks, where light, flow, params, nutrition, are all critical factors. Thus, there is more risk of it being unhealthy and start the downward spiral once algae is present. This is also why in a healthy tank, algae is not an issue despite heavy feeding.I just find it odd cause with planted tanks we run a full spectrum light for 12 hours and algae is not really an issue. But in saltwater white light (full spectrum) just causes major algae outbreaks for some. Maybe those people just have too much nutrients in there systems?? Also what leds would you recommend??? I am in the process of setting up a 40b mixed reef and have been looking into different lighting options but compared to t5's, LEDs are just way to expensive for me.
As I mentioned before, its less impacted by the level of excess nutrients, in a mature tank. In an immature tank, its an factor simply bc there is a lot of available nutrient and available real estate (dry rocks ) so the simplest organisms like algae and cyano will colonize first.