Bill,
Sounds like you have things thought out. I am no expert but I can share my setup with you. I use two hides, one at each end of their enclosures so they can thermoregulate across temps from appx 75~90 gradient. I measure using a temp gun and try to be accurate as possible. I also use paper towels for substrate (for all my snakes). Only thing I don't use that you listed is a light...I have them in a well lit room. They're never really out during the day anyway.
My nics ONLY eat live although I've only tried feeding frozen/thawed mice a few times several months back. They are also tempermental, somedays they REALLY want to be left alone and other days I can hold them with no problems. Their patterns and color variation is intense. Of the four I have, none look alike. In fact, the one I posted a pic of below just shed recently and the most amazing shady blue background coloration is coming through so vividly...I wish I could capture it on camera or show someone in person to ask them about it...I really haven't seen anything like it...its really blue.

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Sincerely, Jason
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