Shot - I tried that 2 -3 times lightly tapping the bucket. I even tried pulling on the pieces of pvc trying to make it come out. Still no luck, then I nocked it over trying to really jar it and that is when the bucket broke. I could not get the second bucket to come loose either. I gave up in frustration and decided to use the shrubbery buckets which I have several of. I know one thing, the bucket that won't release is going to sink REAAAAAALLLLLLLLYYYYY fast and go nowhere!:p OOOOHHHHHH WELLLLLLL back to the drawing board.