need ideas where to get 5 gallon buckets (NOT LOWES OR HD)

any hydroponics store sells them, lids too

I have friends who work at a blow molding facillity. Get all of mine free.

any restarraunt should have a stock pile too you might be able to score.

just got em online. homedepot is the cheapest i could find by far

I've had a lot of luck tracking down 5 and 6 gallon buckets just by asking bakeries and restaurants (a few people have mentioned this). A lot of places get their oil/liquid eggs/etc. shipped in these containers and are happy to part with them, often for free if you pick them up. I call ahead to ask, and just tell them I use them for gardening, which is totally true! A few places even put them aside for me and called me when they had some empties.

Just use grow bags if your using soil, so much easier and convenient.

But if u need em for dwc then the bakery/restaurant idea the above suggested works good.

The orange buckets from home depot suck for hydro but will be fine for dirt. they let alot of light in, but the silver lowes buckets are lightproof.

http://cgi.ebay.com/LOT-OF-5-NEW-HUN...item1e58ddd156