Yes I have always fed him in a separate cage. Though recently I did try feeding him in his cage and it worked the first time, but twice after that it did not. I knew about the food aggression myth, I did it so he wouldn't digest substrate. Also it made it easier to do some spot cleaning/full on cleaning etc.
I was feeding him more frequently when I first got him, now I feed him (or try to) once a week. He eats large mice f/t. I haven't tried feeding him rats yet because he is too small and none of the local pet stores carry frozen rat pups.
I will weigh him when I get home and let you guys know.
I'm pretty set on getting the PVC, I'm just going to wait till I save up a bit of money.