Yes DEFINITELY something to drain.....and a way to bring water in easily....about say 45 gallons of it? I have that same sort of funky tops on my rez...1/2 opens if you want and frankly....I hate them. The half that is supposed to stay open doesnt all the way....rant rant . What about some sort of piece of plastic (hard plastic) that you lay accrosse the top....then you can lift all pots out easily by lifting the plastic with the pots in it.