RDWC water flow setups

So I'm assembling an RDWC without air stones similar to the one in this thread: https://www.rollitup.org/dwc-bubbleponics/497270-how-rdwc-ucdwc-diy-advanced.html
There will be hoses top feeding each bucket then the water is circulated in one way or another back to the control bucket.
Here's where I'm not quite sure about what the physics of the optimum rout for the water to flow should look like.
I've done a few experiments and made a few discoveries but I thought I'd throw this out there in case anyone has any opinions or knowledge of fluid mechanics

Here is configuration 1, where the pump pulls water from the control bucket which is in turn pulled from the plant buckets connected in series.
The pump, pushes the water up to a 4 way splitter which top feeds each bucket individually like a faucet with it's own constant flow of nutrient solution
that is then circulated back to the control bucket.
I assume this is the most efficient way to do it but I have one other experimental idea that I'll post below this

Here is my second experimental configuration:


So, what's going on here is that instead of the water being pulled into the control bucket, it is pulled out and through the other back to the pump on the other side.
The control bucket itself is top fed like the rest of the buckets. I was wondering if this idea would create more current and better flow, being more of a closed loop so to speak.
I don't know though. Something seems off, like it won't flow quite right. maybe that the control bucket won't be filled fast enough.

If anyone has any thought on either design or some way to improve them, I would love to hear your thoughts.
Bear in mind this system is DWC with no air stones - all the aeration comes from the top feeding flow of the water into the buckets
which is why you don't see air lines in the pics.