Modifications to 5 gallon buckets for a soil grow

[D Monkey]

Getting ready to use some 5 gallon buckets, some will be cut down to 2.5 gallons. Just wondering what modifications you may have made to a gallon food bucket that you like.
I hate to spend money on buckets when the plain white food grade ones are a dollar or two each at the local trade days. We can get round or square ones.
Post a photo if possible, just a description if you don't do photo's

 

[Stereotypo]

Take a drill to your 5 gallon pails. About 16-20 1/2" holes will allow your soil to breathe.

 

[D Monkey]

Thanks Stereotypo,
I have in the past drilled 10-12, 1/4 inch size holes in the bottom
of the buckets for drainage, worked fairly well when I upped the perlite percentage.
Are your holes on the side of the bucket as well? Do you cover the holes with burl-lap, coir mat or plastic netting of any type to hold the soil in?

 

[mowood3479]

I usually just drill a 6 or so 1/4" holes in the bottom.. I've done some with holes on the sides also but I don't think it made any difference. Leave the handle on it. Easy to move