Id go for the big pump , pumps are a large sourse of heat,
if you were to buy a Magdrive, 250, or 350, you can actually have youre pump outside the water.This way,less water is heated by the pump. A mag drive has all the threaded ends needed for standard P.v.C type couplers. all you will need is hose, and hose apapters
Mylar would work,.Probably even help on the drain and supply lines.
Better than mylar would be pipe insulation, there are standard sizes available. I think you have 1".
For the res, hmm, id probably double up the bins, and wrap it with ducting insulation. In the second or outter bin, drill some drain holes, so condensation can collect at the bottom, and drain.Use the lid as a water catcher.( alota work eh?)
If water sits and stagnates between the res and the insulation, molds and fungi move in.
( still would benifit from being outside the room, as your home is airconditioned, and you can adjust food while they sleep without disturbing t) but if thats not practicle, it simply isnt. stupid drain!
~ here is a few shots of my res, the coil at the bottom actually has cold, well water pumped through it and then back into the ground. One example of a working res............ all the rust colored crap is just little chunks of hydroton.
this just to let you know of what one guy did.,. the other pic is an old pump i had jimmyrigged in a similar fashion to what i described earlier..
as for light cycle, i just do my best to copy nature. ZZZzzzzzzzz. ~