Yes, just below water level reduces splashing and noise. I don't use a rigid tube/pipe. Instead I use 1" bilge hose. It's available at many hardware stores. It fits snug in a 1" PVC fitting. I seal it into the fitting/bulkhead with that silicone we talked about a few weeks ago. Because of the snug fit, it takes over 24 hours for the silicone to cure, but also because of the snug fit, water can be run through it within hours. The bilge hose is corrugated so it's very flexible and yet long lasting. Easy to move out of the way to change the filter sock, yet does not put any stress on the bulkhead or fitting where it's connected.
Some bulkheads have a looser fit. In that case, glue, into the bulkhead, a ~4" piece of PVC pipe with a Coupling or 45 on the end. 45 angle fittings are great for redirecting the drain line and don't cause the resistance to flow like a 90/L fittling. (If the bulkhead ever needs to come out, cut the pipe just at/above the Coupling, leaving enough pipe for gluing a new fitting, making the bulkhead reusable.
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