Do NOT leave an open end, closed system is what you want.
Yes, it will perform better that buckets, no doubt. Make sure you have slope after your last tree tapped towards your collection barrel.
2011- 35 taps, ,,,milk juggs and buckets-propane turkey fryer !!
2012 -75 taps,,,,, 40 on tubing into buckets, and 35 buckets - 3nd hand Homemade arch, brutal.
2013- Just over 115 taps and still adding more.
2014, new SS flat pan and new arch built, guessing 75-100 taps this year.
2015, 50 taps on Shurflo pump.
2016- Getting a line across my creek this year.
2017-took a year off, Jamaica was fun !
2018- 45 trees tapped, keeping it fun !