[Blueface]

Just my two cents, but to answer many of your questions in the last paragraph, yes.

In South Florida as in my case, crashes can happen with power failures. That is why I had a dedicated generator for the tank.
Like any living creature, they can and will die.
It is stress free when all is running well.
Torturous when not.
My electric bill went down $150 a month for my 225 gallon tank when I sold it.
That said, the nearly 20 years I was in the hobby were fun.
If not for my back, would likely still have my tank.