The internet can be great for information but sometimes it get hard to sort through all the facts/opinions. I'm hoping you can help with a couple basic things for now.

1. How do you tell the different variations of the breed?
Since I bought him in a pet store ( a reputable local place not a chain) I assume he is a normal, but his coloring seems more vivid than most normals. Also, I would like to understand the variations that people talk about on here.

2. Feeding location.
This one confuses the crap out of me. Have him less than a week so I haven't found the sweet spot yet. I have read that feeding him in a separate location is best for a couple reasons including reducing risk of aggression (not associating you putting your hands in his tank with attacking food). Problem is, putting him in another container seems to scare him and he balled up and didn't want to eat.

Whats the best balance? Feeding him F/T (trying to, at least) so there's no risk of him getting bit.

3. Environmental regulation.
This one confuses me as well. I understand the need to monitor and regulate heat and humidity but am confused how to do it best. I need to get an Accurite indoor/outdoor unit but how do I place it? Does the unit itself go in the tank hot side on the glass at the substrate level with the probe running to the same spot on the cool side? People have mentioned the need to control the temp of the glass at the bottom of the tank under the substrate in case he burrows. I am currently using repti-bark so he hasn't really been able to displace it so am I concerned with where he is or where he could possibly go?

Hope some of this makes sense. As I've mentioned I am a newb to this but want to do right by my new baby.

Thanks in advance,
Mike