what's a good hose for the return line?

You can get way better pressure rated hoses at a marine store.

 

I can agree with everything said here except that I do not agree with the part of using oversized hose. If you use a 1" hose on it and neck it down to a 3/4" it will still only flow what a 3/4" nipple will allow. If you use an oversized hose as stated you need to make sure you have a very good hoseclamp to take up the slack or it will leak.

 

reinforced sounds good. I saw that but since it wasn't under pressure didn't think to get it.

I'd like to find hose like what is used for the overflow with the "ribs" so it can flex better.

 

I really like using a combination of flexible PVC and rigid. Sometimes I hard plumb to the pump, but use a heavy vinyl or flexible PVC to cut down on vibration.

 

You will get better flow out of larger diameter tubing even with a necked down end, this is due to friction losses in smaler lines. The small restriction at one end does have an effect but its minimal compared to several feet of smaller hose or tubing. Simple hydraulics.

Ribs cause eddys or resistance to flow so should be avoided if possible. Resistance to flow is called the C factor and is used in all hydraulic modeling and studies.

 

Oh that makes sense. I wondered why I never see the ribbed hose for return lines. Thanks!