Indeed. Low cost easy systems are the absolute opposite of what todays reefing is all about. I have heard of macro tanks crashing pretty hard and overloading the system with nutrients but guess all tanks can do that.
Honestly, I must admit I am just as enthused about gear as I am about the reefs. I love to see it all come together and do its thing. That said, I have looked into some algaes that would be palatable to the tangs so I can keep some in a fuge and move it to the DT every once in a while for a tang treat.
I guess a lot of people are chasing SPS and that requires a little more finesse and gear