If you already know how much to dose your tank and just can't always be there to do it manually, then the doser is a simpler setup in my opinion. I think there are options for programmable dosers that don't require an apex?
I like the really clean look. I think you've hit on a key to this hobby, which is to know how much time and money you will have to spend on it and then plan/choose things appropriately
The last ARC frag swap was in February I believe. Not sure when the next one will be, but hopefully in the fall/winter sometime. Maybe @brian.srock or @mFrame would have a better idea. San Antonio always has LMAR swap in the spring too.
I guess to me the acid is more dangerous to work with and also reduces the size of the rock considerably. I saw a video some time back by BRS comparing the two methods and my recollection is that if I ever needed to do it bleach would be the way to go.