TG, try using water in your water pan.
Then, try not using water, just an empty pan.
Then, get, if you really want to, get a "clay saucer" (I call it a Terra Cotta planter tray) of a size that'll fit INSIDE the waterpan. And try that.
There are some many SO MANY people here that try one way and love it and others that like doing it another way.
Ya know, it is only up to how YOU like it. Whatever works for YOU. No one way is the right way.
I use an empty waterpan.