I have had many tanks over the years and never had a problem growing coraline algae until I setup my existing reef. It has now been running nearly 2 years and there is not a spec of it. I have tried adding it into the tank but it never takes hold. My pH is generally 8.3 - 8.5 during the summer months and 8.1 - 8.3 during the winter months so I am not convinced pH alone is the key. I have put my inability to grow Coraline as this tank had very little live rock added to it unlike all my previous tanks. I have also suffered from high Phosphates so surface algae on the rocks is always preventing it taking hold. I cannot lower my phosphate below 0.2 (yes 0.2 and not .002) otherwise dinoflagellates start to take hold. I am sure I read high phosphates impedes calcification so that may be be the cause for my issue.
Hope some of this helps.
Hope some of this helps.