Feeding may be an issue. I hear you have some folks up that way that don't really like the idea of mouses and ratses being food items, especially while still living. Definitely stay with frozen thawed.
You can make a really cool display out of a 20L or 29g tank that would be fine for most any milk, calking or corn.
I would stay away from babies. Too small to see and too hard for newbs to handle. If you decide on a CalKing let me know. I know a guy who's got some very nice black and white yearlings.