I have to say a mesh mod laguna - askol is not that bad, it is in fact working super for me, and in case it fails, I can buy several new once for the price of a new RD pump
I have my mesh mod running now, and found out that as I have a1/2 inch air feed when trimming it a bit with a valve, I get even more air, way, way more.
I now have the skimmer outlet 10 inches lower than the skimmer nek (before I had the water in the skimmer at the neck level)
meaning if you really are pump down on your BBK, it is something to consider (where I also have to agree that for a skimmer with this price tag, it should not have to be)
se link below for my mesh mod
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=70820