You say inexpensive: The first thing that comes to mind is the old garden hose. Get it started and you have something working nonstop with materials that you probably don't have to go out and buy. Get a couple of them going if you have the hose. Of course the question is, how big of a pond are you trying to drain? That makes a world of difference. But don't underestimate a free working cheap product that goes 24/7. Also, do you have a big watershed or spring that fills the pond constantly/quickly?
There are good past threads with regards to siphons, however they can be difficult to find. There is one section/thread in the archive area, but it is very lacking with info. Like I said, much better threads mixed in thru the years but never compiled into one place.
