when I run my bucket system I put a water level tube on the bucket,you can see how much is in the bucket and if you want to drain it you just turn the tube down and let it drain,you will need some 1/2 tubeing and some rubber gromets and 1/2 barbed fittings,drill the hole for the gromet insert the barbed fitting (90 degree)and thats it, you will find that keeping your buckets off the floor will make things easyer,I use milk crates for mine,hope this helps