This is the base for the buckets. Since the buckets are filled with pea gravel they are very heavy, so I needed a heavy-duty base. I used pressure treated 4X4 for the 'legs' and 2X6 for the top pieces. I sunk the 'legs' about 2 feet into the ground for stability.

Here is a photo that shows how the return lines are set up. These buckets are from the 'prototype' system, which didn't really work out very well. I initially used a marine epoxy to secure the 1/2" fittings to the buckets, but it didn't stick worth a damn, and I had several leaks. Also, I found that I didn't really like having the fittings underneath.

This is a detail of the final drain/return setup. I got new buckets and located the drain holes about 2" up on the side of each bucket. Also, rather than trying to glue the fittings in, I used some common 5/8" rubber heater hose, cut into 3/4" pieces. Holes were drilled in the buckets so that the heater hose would JUST fit through with a bit of friendly persuasion. The fittings (T's and L's) were then pushed through the rubber hose (with a bit of Vaseline to help things along). The result: tight, leak-free connections and no glue required, so they can be easily disassembled if necessary. That's the nutrient tank in the background. It's a cheap plastic trash can (32 gallon), most of which is below ground level.

This picture shows the nutrient delivery system I came up with. I used 1/4" tubing, and punched holes all the way through both sides about every 1 1/2" or so with a standard 1/4" drip tubing hand punch. This assembly was then buried about 1" under the gravel at planting time to hold it in position and also to prevent algae growth on the gravel surface.

Another view of my dripper assembly. I'm re-using last years' pump, a Little Giant 170 GPH submersible, which seems to be more than adequate.

The strawberries are doing well in the 4" PVC tubes which were left over from last year. They have a fairly small root system, and don't clog up the tubes like many larger plants.

As youu can see, the bucket system is really growing like crazy. The buckets have been growing for only 2 months at this point.

The tomatoes have begun to ripen....

My little helper.
My kids get almost as much enjoyment out of our little garden as I do.

This is the only real problem I've had with the buckets. The roots have been growing all the way down through all that gravel, and have been growing down into the return lines, and clogging them up.
Unbelievable!

Here's another view, this one showing the tube system too. As you can see, both systems are working really well.
(I'm beginning to experience some root clogging in the tube system again, just like last year. It's only with the larger plants, like the summer squash though.)