Ah, the old "wet to dry" protocol! This explains the commmendable lack of green goo, mosses and molds. Occasional top watering is good too, it can help reduce accumulated salts.
The resting and dormant plants don't really want DRY. I lost so many species before I realized that dry doesn't mean dry, lol.
I always used milled long fiber sphagnum/perlite 50/50 with some laterite and sand added on top for the pets. I think they appreciated the laterite, a little taste of home for them and it might have contributed to their prosperity.
I'm unfamiliar with Smash Mouth actually. I isolated myself from the media back in the 70's for mental health (guess THAT didn't work) but will keep alert for their sounds! Y'know, I almost cut my hair. it happened just the other day.....Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young got the long hair thing going as a protest against the Kent State incident. I guess I still protest and will keep the hair.
Peace,
Tamlin