Hi Steve,
I have a relatively simple 180. Instead of a closed loop, I use energy efficient and quiet Tunze streams. I use a small 40g breeder sump, and use a quiet low gph eheim for a return. Lower flow through the sump means less noise.
You asked about ditching the refugium. My past tanks had them, but I ditched it on the 180. I have no regrets. I keep a relatively modest bioload, and have two docile tangs keeping algae in check. The tank requires 15 minutes a week max, with the exception of making RO water every two weeks.
I'm now on the fence on where to invest my money. I'm partly bored, but also busy with my life and desire even less tank work. Right now, I'm considering switching from 1000-watts(3-250's + actinics) to a 468-watt T5 fixture, and also ditching my 90-watt skimmer for a 24-watt bubblemaster. The halides consume electricity, create ballast noise, and heat up the house. The existing sedra-based skimmer is noisy as well. Making these changes, would reduce my electrical cost and noise. BUT, at a price of $1200.....
$1200 is a lot IMO, and it isn't offset by much electrical savings. So my other option, is to downsize. I could sell a lot of my current equipment and move to a smaller tank for cheap. I'm thinking a 90 gallon, with a Tunze Reefpack 500. The Tunze is an internal skimmer,chemical filtration, and auto top-off; all built into a box the size of an overflow box. Throw a T5 fixture on there, and I'm using very little wattage, with absolutely zero plumbing. Without a sump, I can place a large tank(30gallons) in the stand to hold RO water out of sight. My dosing pump would get activated by the Tunze reefpack, and the large ro resevoir underneath would mean the system would be on autopilot for a looong time. Selling my current system would offset the initial investment, and therefore the electrical savings would be real. Noise would be minimal without overflows and a sump.
Decisions, decisions.
