bradyloach

That's very good.

I would line three sides with styrafoam insulating sheets. What are you using to measure humidity?

Yes, mix it with sand. I like to have a 60/40 mixture. 60% dirt, 40% sand.

Is it coco fiber like Eco-Earth or similar? If so, absolutely.

I do a little of both.

Let him tell you what's enough. It may very from day to day. Also, it will increase with age.

Yes, you can feed store bought shrimp as long as it is fresh, organic, and not stored in preservatives. My local store has a great organic seafood counter where everything is raw and fresh.

Brady- You can feed crickets, roaches, snails (available at your local Asian market), fertilized (chick inside) quail egg (available via Craigslist farm and garden), frogs legs (also available at the Asian market), head on shrimp, crayfish, silversides, fresh water crab, emperor scorpions, day old quail. Make sure anything you feed is fresh and organic. Feeding a monitor is expensive, especially if you want to keep him healthy.