I was going to build my own setup with Home Depot buckets but after pricing out the buckets w/lids, the hoses and fitting, the net pots, expanded clay and factoring in the labor of painting the buckets black (to prevent algae growth) and modifying the buckets for net pot use, it’s as just way more practical to buy this. Plus, compared to the more popular brands offering nearly identical products, this was no different than any other but at least $30 cheaper.I will say, that exterior blue tubing feature is useless. Since the holes are already cut, you’re forced to use it or find a way to prevent water from leaking, but at the end of the day it does nothing. I assume it’s supposed to show water levels in the bucket but the tube is so thin and tinted that you really can’t see anything. I’ve seen a system that uses a half inch to inch tube for this and I may modify these to copy that, as it’d be much easier to see water levels.Anyways, the system is great and has everything you need to get started. You’d be a fool not to get it.