dude are you fuckin serious why not just build that stupid little thing...its not rocket science
Just FYI, while you can build some cheap ass system for around $35-$40 that kinda looks like the one Stealth Hydro is selling, it will not be nearly as well built nor have the same functionality.
Bear in mind that their Bucketeer systems are intended to be modular; i.e. connectable via and external reservoir. So figure that into your design and it is not so easy.
If you want exactly what is pictured, this is what you will need:
Okay, let's start with a black 90mil bucket. Not a paint bucket, but BLACK and 90mil. They cost $6.96 each:
P500: 5 Gallon Black 90mil Pail
Then the vertical style spigot (drain kit); you'd have to get that directly from SH as nobody else makes it.
So, lets analyse:
Bucket: $7
Air Pump: $8
Airstone : $6
airline : $1.50
rubber grommet for airline: 0.50
4.5 liters of hydroton: $10
Bucket Buddy Netpot: $6
Vertical style spigot: $10
= $49 give or take a dollar or two.
That is not even considering your time and gas cost while driving around getting these parts. Or if you would even be able to find all the parts locally, than you'd have to pay shipping anyway.
What about tools... does everyone have the right tools to build a professional looking DWC setup?
Hell, for that, $49.99 doesn't sound like such a rip off to me. Quite frankly, it sounds like a friggen deal! Even if you're into DIY, it's worth buying. Shit, anyone can get lazy every now and then, and really, if I'm not hardly saving anything why even bother wasting my time when I can have it shipped right to me in a matter of days.