to make a long story short, I was talking to my local feed shop about inexpensive substrate for rats. She suggested pine pellets. I explained that I have been using equine fresh, and did not like it because of the amount of dust.

She basicly explained that I was not using the pine pellets correctly. She said you have to mix them with water prior to using them. according to her if you do this, it virtually illiminates the nasty dust.

She recomended I put in enough pine pellets to cover the floor of the tank, then spray it with water (fine mist with water bottle). Mix it up a bit, and it is good to go. In fact, the pine pellets she stocks (guardian or something) actually says on the bag that it needs to be sprayed with water once it is layed down.

Well, I plan to try it when I get home. A simple web search showed that she is NOT the only one that recomends adding some water prior to use!!! here is an example: http://www.horsetackreview.com/review-display/8765.html

anybody heard of this before, or already doing it???