Coralline algae curiosity

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I currently have 2 reef tanks. One is a 75 gallon with EcoTech Radion lighting and a canister filter. It's been established for a long time. ZERO coralline. The other is a 28 gallon JBJ Nano Cube all in one. It's been established for about a year. Wall to wall coralline. I maintain both tanks on the same schedule with the same supplies. What's the deal?

 

[commod0re]

my theory is that something about canister filters makes things difficult for coralline, it seems like a lot of people who run canister filters on their reef tanks have mentioned that they've never seen any signs of coralline in those systems

no clue why, but it does seem to be a thing

 

[Red_Beard]

Ive had 2 tanks on canisters that would grow coralline, definitely can be done. Couple questions, if you dont mind:
- how did you seed it in either tank?
- what kind of flow do you have in each tank?
- what is the lighting spectrum on each tank and how do they compare intensity wise?
- are they both dosed alk cal mag? Or just water changes. The levels run the same?
- how are the nutrient levels in each tank?
- you dosing anything for trace?

Some of the answers to those questions may give you an idea as to what subtle differences in environmental factors are at play. Sometimes those little things make a big difference.