I also use pine shavings, but cover with paper towels for the first couple weeks. They get a little rambunctious around 1-1.5 weeks, making it hard to keep the paper towel in place. But I've been pleased with how it works, thus far.
Spilled water hasn't been an issue for me, as the waterer is weighed down pretty well with marbles. They shoo the shavings into the water, though, so I clean that a couple times a day, maybe more if they've really made a mess.
Spilled water hasn't been an issue for me, as the waterer is weighed down pretty well with marbles. They shoo the shavings into the water, though, so I clean that a couple times a day, maybe more if they've really made a mess.