That is a HUGE center hole... that will definitely cause wicking issues with the mesh. try rolling around a sewing needle, that is honestly a little too big as well, but much better than a toothpick. remember, it's the surface area of the mesh that causes the wicking to happen, it will probably help your
juice overflow issue as well, because with it configured as it is right now, the tube is acting as a straw, a very tiny straw, but a straw nonetheless. LOL, that was a really long sentence that I don't feel like re-writing..