Hognose snakes love sani chips and they'll burrow just as much in them. They don't care if the tunnels remain. It doesn't have any dust to it whatsoever and it clumps nicely, but the aspen definitely smells nicer. As far as the dish and placement goes, that sounds fine, but be aware that your little hoggie may drag the food around quite a bit, so it's much more imperative that you dry off the food item. Very little bedding will stick to dry food.