Sump Redesign? Need Help?

So i have had my tank up and running for about 3 months now. No problems so far, knock on wood. I have been, since about day two, dissatisfied with the function of my sump, made from a 30gal long (far left drain, center return section, far right refugium). Not sure what is is but definitely not satisfied. Want to overhaul and redo everything. Here are some problems/questions that i have:

1) water crashing down from overflow loud and creating micro bubbles. How to muffle?
2) I used 3/4 pvc for drain and return. Is this fine? Could this be a cause for the bubbles and loud crashing?
3) Made baffles 1" apart, is this enough? 8'' tall? Im finding that im running the water way above the height of the first baffle.
4) No where to place prefilter media pad? Carbon?
5) Don't laugh at the "T" that was put in wrong. I know. I have no flow in that direction.

Any help is appreciate!

 

I used 1 inch pvc all around to match my overflow box. And i had the same problem with the loud water in the sump so what i did was I cut the pvc to go just above the water line when the sump is at its normal level for when its running and put a 90 degree elbow on it so it pointed in the water but also had a spot for air to escape. You could give this a try it seemed to work for me.

 

I have a 90g RR. I oversized my piping. I run a carbon reactor in my return section. I don't use filters or pads, but you can if you like. Carbon reactors are cheap and are much better at utilizing the carbon and cleaning your water.

As far as the piping.... I did a Herbie overflow. Very happy with it. One of the best things I've done. Completely silent and not one bubble. You have to put your returns over the back though, so if you do not have the room for a pipe, that is bad. Here is a build thread I did.

http://www.3reef.com/forums/i-made/my-herbie-overflow-write-up-pics-beware-60239.html

 

You need a one inch pipe as your overflow and a 3/4 inch pipe for your returns is ok. That configuration is confusing? Your overflow should go directly into one end with filter media of some kind there (bio-balls, floss) to breakdown the nitrates and bubbles. A refugium could go next and then your sump return. An additional sponge and floss can go in between the refugium and sump. The heights of all these can vary. Check this website for an idea that might help. I have the RM300 and I dont hear anything and I have no bubbles.
www.sealifesystems.com