I have a separate digital themometer I user for PC temps. The warm side is around 86-88 degrees and the cool side is around 79-81 degrees with the air temp 4 " from the top hovering in the low 80's. From what I can tell that should be okay. I plan on keeping a close eye on it and will buy a rheostat.
The plantation soil is actually a compress coconut husk fiber and according to what I read it is suppose to be good, in fact the link you provided said coconut husk based substrates are good.
If you look in the back left area near the grassy stuff you'll see a plant that he loves to hide behind. When he is hiding behind that he isn't visible unless you really try to find him. I figured that would be a good enough hiding spot, will it work or should I get something else?
Here is one in my hand too.
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