V21 Fuel Tank Removal - questions

[13Echo70271]

when the spring was new, would it have been strong enough to keep the pickup on the bottom of the tank and all the way to the stern end? how about replacing the hose with rigid plastic fuel line. plumb it down and back.
it needs a brass screen on the end either way.
btw fuel + water can make a clear blob of material, looks like a jelly fish, not easily spotted in a tank.