That's what happens. My snakes will "empty" their water dishes into the aspen and within the day, if it is really warm here, it starts to smell. It is time consuming and more expensive in the summer for me to switch it out every other day in 6 vivs. That's why I use the eco-earth once it starts to get warm. Fall is coming now and I have switched back to the aspen. They tend to not dump the water as much, and it lasts longer.