My contractor quoted $3000 to do it last year but he never got "_Around to it-". I plan on taking the mud out with a Kubota tractor if I can get it to dry out some. I have a dump truck and plan on taking the mud to a ravine that we are trying to fill. I have also considered renting a Track Hoe. Sounds like the contractor's bid was low? Are there any fans of siphon? It seems like a good idea for future draining and maintenance. My idea is to keep the stand pipe and install a siphon with valves to turn it off.