In general I agree with the ruggedness of mature tanks, but it also partly depends on the inhabitants. Some are simply more sensitive than others.
I've had my current tank for about 5 years now and I think I've about done it all. Temp swings up to high 80s, lack of water change for 3 summer months! Expired lights (2 years old), skimmer less for over a month. Too lazy to fix a busted RO unit so I used tap water in my ATO, temp drop down 60s for 24 hours due to power outage.. The list goes on! While I have lost corals and a few fish along the way this tank hasn't yet completely crashed despite all the calamity (and occasional poor husbandry). The bio system seems to have remained somewhat stable/hardy I think. I have corals, fish and inverts still trucking along since day one of this tank.
(Pretty sure I just jinxed myself and will find a tank of death tomorrow morning)
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