I'd say use a container with more floor space, something like a 28qt or 32 qt sterilite would work very well. Definitely need a water bowl. Use aluminum foil tape, duct tape will quickly fail on you. I wouldnt worry about a separate feeding container, but if you want to use one that would be fine. Other than that, what's a 'smoldering' iron, I know a soldering iron works, but I've never heard of a smoldering iron..is that really something or a typo?