Reptibark is fine. You can spot clean and do a full replacement every few months.If you do switch substrates I would recommend cypress over aspen, it holds humidity better.

I use healthy habitat, sold at petco i know, it is safe to use with your pet in the cage. I spray it on a towel then clean the tank. I like it and it smells nice. Using filtered drinking water, I buy it by the gallon, will not leave water marks on the glass.

From the pic it really looks like the log is to short for your snake to get under it. I just recently bought a new plastic hide from lllreptile and really like it. Is it possible that the plastic one you were trying to use was to small and getting flipped over by the snake trying to squeeze into it? Other members have posted pics of their snake lifting hides off the floor by trying to fit in them.

If you didn't actually see your snake playing with the hide I would put it back in and try to see how it gets flipped. These black ones are better than the logs for a few reasons.

Can be sanitized
Won't mold or mildew
Cheap
More secure feeling (one door, not a tunnel)

http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/...lack-hide-box/