Sounds like you want something more like the waterfarm setup but Bonger is correct......individual buckets will kill you eventually especially when the plants get bigger. Even though you only have to change them every nine days you will still have to check ph daily and adjust it as necessary. You will love yourself later when you realize you can stick on a cheap water pump and drain them all through one central line. That too has it's drawbacks....one problem is everybody's problem sometimes. But when push comes to shove I'll take them connected.

My feeling with DIY is that almost anything here (and for some maybe ANYTHING here) can be built at home. What you are really paying for with your $$$ is saving time and convenience. With the buckets attached (and I have little valves between mine to shut them all off individually if needed so color me smokin' ) you really don't even need the water pump....gravity will do the job....but timewise it will take forever.