I normally do WC once a week but just that minor bit(one standard red pail). It's for replenishing the trace elements like what Bro Xiggie has mentioned. I haven't try not changing yet, but I'm only having LPS and fishes. But doing water change is a easy task for me, 20mins from start to stop, because now no need to rid algae from Display tank saves me so much time!
As for options 1, 2, and 3. I will go for number 2, since I had tried the upflow(no.3) now, with the light source from the outer of glass. I realized that, what Bro Xiggie said was right, more air generate more algae inducement. But for an up flow, the surface area is too small so it restricted the algae growth. The larger the surface area, the more algae growth possibility, but that also means you must have ample light on them. That is why Bro Xiggie had two side by side.