sump/refugium design

I'm looking at all the fuge designs out there (I'm a DIY guy) and I have a question about the way they're designed.

You basically have three compartments: one where the water comes from the tank, one for the fuge, and one where the pump is located. Now in the ones have been seeing, the compartments are generally separated by a double-wall, baffle-type barrier.

Why? (the double part, that is)

Just curious. I'll be building myself one very soon!

 

the baffles are for micro bubbles, most of the time it is just the first wall where the water comes in the fuge.

 

Yep.. it's called a bubble trap.

 

Thanks. Sooo ... what do micro bubbles do? Cause problems in the pump? Foam in the tank?

I feel ignorant (and am!) but hey, this is the noob forum, right??

 

Well, microbubbles can have a number of adverse affects on your aquarium and livestock. But, to keep it simple, let's just say that you don't want a whole lot of little "micro" bubbles floating around your tank because it will cause the water to look unclear. ;D

 

What are the effects of the micro bubbles because, I've heard that they are bad but I never found out why and I've got some in my tank.