Substrate and Water bowls

[feranaja]

Two more questions, I thought a new topic might be in order...

One, is Aspen the preferred substrate for balls? I have heard hemp is very good as well; also heard pros and cons about aspen, that one should not feed the snake in a tank with aspen as they can inhale it...one site suggested removing the snake to a newspaper lined tank to feed, which isn't a go for me since Clem would probably be just stressed more by the transfer. What do you all recommend?

And second - again, I'm hearing directly opposing views on water dishes. One view states that the dish should be large enough for the snake to soak in; the other says definitely NOT. The one I have is not large anough for her to soak in, although the odd time she comes out of her hide she will sort of halfways lay in it.
If I used a smaller water dish, I could fit two smaller hides in the tank (as opposed to the one very large on I have at the moment.

Thanks so much..
Catherine