You only need the Unifi Network (macbook or cloudkey) to configure and update the APs for how your configured.
However, once it is set up, you can get stats on the AP from the macbook or cloudkey. So it's worth it to keep it up at all times. If you reset your laptop you may have lots of problems with access to the APs.
As others hinted, your best bet is to ditch the Araknas Router and go Unifi.... one management platform, and it will to DHCP, DNS, and keep everything organized so you don't have other future problems.