Drilling out 5 Gallon buckets

I got fifteen 5 gallon buckets yesterday because it was cheaper than buying 5 gallon pots.

I know a lot of RIU uses the 5 gallon buckets, but Im curious....

whats the best way to drill drainage holes? Should I just drill ONE decent sized hole on the bottom of the bucket, or should I drill 4-5 holes around the edges of the buckets....similar to how the holes on most pots look?

I got plenty of pearlite for drainage, but this will be the first time utilizing our grow tent which is the reason why we got the biiiiiig sized buckets, so I just want to make sure they drain properly.

Don't drill one big hole. Drill at least a half dozen small ones, 3/8 inch. Just small enough so soil doesn't pour out.

Drilling on the sides of the bucket at the base is good. The holes also allow air in, and if you're only drilling from underneath air can't get in,..

I drill a few on the bottom and four to six holes around the sides.

id say that pretty much covers it

Siddhartha said:

Don't drill one big hole. Drill at least a half dozen small ones, 3/8 inch. Just small enough so soil doesn't pour out.

Drilling on the sides of the bucket at the base is good. The holes also allow air in, and if you're only drilling from underneath air can't get in,..

I drill a few on the bottom and four to six holes around the sides.

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sweet. Thanks Sidd. Yeah I figured some on the sides would be good. I didn't want to over-do it, but at the same time... I didnt want to have issues with not enough air getting in either.

I only drill holes on the bottom(5, like a die, I also use square buckets). I have no issues. Most air gets in through the large surface area.

I think the best way to do it unless you really don't care about the bucket is to drill one hole at the bottom and put a rubber gromment in the hole and then connect a hose or an on off valve to it, then you can drain it anytime you want and don't have a bunch of holes in the bottom. Think waterfarm bucket that should give you an idea of what I mean. That way if you want to do a DWC with the bucket later you can, and have a cool way to drain the nutes when they need replaced. The grommet and barbed connector of your choice is water tight, I've tried it before because I was doubtful that you could seal it that well, but it works.

Otherwise I'd do what's been mentioned, 10 - 15 holes in the bottom and then put it inside another bucket.

10-15 holes? That's a lot. I usually use 3/8th drill bit and drill 5 holes(max). Works fine. Sometimes I have to place towels to soak up the drainage. It's lame.

TeaTreeOil said:

10-15 holes? That's a lot. I usually use 3/8th drill bit and drill 5 holes(max). Works fine. Sometimes I have to place towels to soak up the drainage. It's lame.

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I use a smaller drill bit size to minimize soil falling out, I think 1/4". Go around the outside edge to make sure water doesn't collect anywhere, and then make a circle further in towards the center. It's all just just preference, you could put a big 1/2" hole in the center and be fine or drill 100 1/8" ones and they will both work. It doesn't really matter. I can check some of mine but I bet they have 20 - 30 holes.

la9 said:

I use a smaller drill bit size to minimize soil falling out, I think 1/4". Go around the outside edge to make sure water doesn't collect anywhere, and then make a circle further in towards the center. It's all just just preference, you could put a big 1/2" hole in the center and be fine or drill 100 1/8" ones and they will both work. It doesn't really matter. I can check some of mine but I bet they have 20 - 30 holes.

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Unlikely, water is heavier than soil. Yes, even a single hole works.

Thanks for all the response, guys! Im about to go outside and drill a crap load of buckets. we'll see how it goes. Hey...maybe Ill just drill smiley faces. HAHA just kiddin!

Taka look at a greenhouse pot.....Usually 4 holes on corners and sides. More and bigger the larger the pot. Good drainage thats all. GL

If you need more I like the 4 gal rubbermaid trash can bucket at walmart. On rollback for 2.12 each...........

Relaxed said:

If you need more I like the 4 gal rubbermaid trash can bucket at walmart. On rollback for 2.12 each...........

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Thanks. I should have looked there first. These were only $2.28 at Home Depot. I really wanted something square though because square obviously saves space, but for now Ill just suck it up and use these. :-\

ok, fyi they are square at walmart. come in white, black and tan colors.....More on the tall square then short fat square so for space I don't think you will find better....

is that a pic of you?

Relaxed said:

is that a pic of you?

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It is not.

Relaxed said:

ok, fyi they are square at walmart. come in white, black and tan colors.....More on the tall square then short fat square so for space I don't think you will find better....

is that a pic of you?

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Sweet. Im going to have to get some of those for the next round. Square is so much better


Yes, Its me.

demonic1 said:

Yeah, square is so much better. Why don't the stupid companies that make planters make 3-gallon square planters? I can get 2-gallon square ones, but it is impossible to find cheap 3-gallon square ones here. I have gone to at least 10 hydro shops and at least a half dozen garden centers. I do not mean a 40 dollar porcelain one either, just the cheap plastic one.

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That was exactly my problem. I pretty much looked everywhere I could come up with for square pots (not buckets.) and no such luck. The most annoying part is that I DID FIND 5 GALLON SQUARE POTS, but they were $5.98 per pot and I needed 15 pots, so yeah.... $2 round buckets ended up taking my money instead.