Nope if you can get in their to change media and clean its the right amount in that area. Especially if you are running the reactors and skimmer off one pump. You can put the bulkhead in with a T fitting coming out and ball valves to control flow to each piece of equipment. Will cut down on hoses running around under the stand.
Nice progress James. I just added water to mine tonight its not plumbed for returns yet. I did the street elbows on mine like you said works great ( the box was to short for regular elbows on the drains) Thanks. If you could post a pick of your return plumbing I'm undecided on how to plumb it what size pipe etc.
I was thinking you should paint the stand now before its too hard.
I painted my spa flex drains black BIG MISTAKE (just one thankfully) paint will never dry on spa flex it will just stay tacky collect dust forever. Wanted it black so it would not stand out. Thanks again for all your help. Keep up the nice work JB