RE: "sanitary elbow" You make a significant point. I'll try a radiused turn from the venturi, and a sanitary elbow to merge the line. Can't hurt ? I'll note any difference in flow, and mist.

I'm testing a 1/2" at a dedicated 187 gph. I'll run it straight, and then attach the bye pass. One thing I figured out today was my old Eheim 2217 Classic pushes twice the head pressure of the 2224. Of course the 2224 draws 8W and the 2217 pulls 20W. Apparently that efficiency comes at a cost ?