Aspen is good to use, I find carefresh too dusty and the babies end up with their eyes and noses all crusted up from it. Not good for baby lungs. Newspaper alone is not very absorbing and will start to stink on the second day. EW

Lab blocks: Mazuri, Harlan Teklad. NO Kaytee. They are known for producing crappy feeds, regardless of species the food is for. Just not high quality. Look up Mazuri feeds online and find a feed store near you that carries it, or can order it. 50lb bags usually run $18-$22 and last forever.

Tubs are fine. Just be sure to use 1/4" hardware cloth and not 1/2". The hoppers can get out of the 1/2". You can use the black cement mixing tubs, make a wood frame out of 1x2's or 2x2's, attach hardware cloth to it, make a food/water bottle hopper and you're good to go. I can take pictures of my individual tubs if you want a visual. They are EASY to make and really easy to clean out.

Water: tap water is fine and the vanilla really helps. You can add a few tablespoons to each gallon of water, it sure won't hurt them. Baking soda sprinkled in the bedding each time you change it out, also helps.

If you want, you can put a wheel in with the mice. They are neurotic little boogers and like the exercise Won't have to worry about food bowls, but if you have shredded paper or kleenex boxes/tissue rolls, just throw it in for extra bedding.