Hi Steve,,, I think you have the right idea, and the pics Ron posted are a good example of how it's done right. Since mine is homemade, and I really didn't know any different, I made my supply and return both on the back, and only about 18" apart, so I know I am pumping the "cold" water that is coming back into the stove, before I get the chance to use the hottest water that is in the front. I think I lose alot of efficiency this way. I don't know of a good way to extend pipes to the front of my stove now, other than running them over the top, and dropping a pipe DOWN into the front of the water tank. I could run a pipe in from the back, but there would be no way to support the end inside the stove without cutting into the tank. I could make an "inspection plate" on top of the stove, and use that as an access to a support, I suppose. I have a few changes to make when heating season is over, and this is one of them.