OK, so I've been stranded for several weeks waiting on a warranty repair for a blown head gasket for the truck to tow my 5th wheel. I noticed a few days back, during a period of rain, that I seemed to have a frog somewhere in the rig. Didn't give it much thought until I went to dump my holding tanks this morning. As usual, I dump the black tank first, back flush and close it off. Then move on to the grey tank and back flush it. I should mention at this point that I am full timing and have been leaving the grey tank open and just letting it flow through. I suspect that it might hold a bit of water as the valve never seems to open quite as far as the black tank valve does. That said, I always back flush it when I empty the black tank. Anyway, as I back flush the grey tank, I notice in the last bit of water leaving (I have the see through attachment) that there appears to be tadpoles in the water. I back flush again and see that there are indeed tadpoles.So... here's my question.....What is safe to add to my grey tank that will kill these unwanted parasites?I also wondered if this were a common problem for anyone else that left their grey tanks open, to flow through?

Add several cups of bleach and some Dawn dish soap. Fill, let it sit for several hours, drain, repeat as necessary.

I have never had that happen to me...never heard of it...I am sure someone will give you the best solution, but I think I would close off the Grey tank and put some gray water chemicals in it? Leave it sit for at least 24 hours, double dose it?I leave my grey open, too. Know I should probably keep it closed, too.

Wow! Better watch those tad poles! You just never know. Being exposed to all the stuff in your holding tanks? You just might have started a whole new breed of animal! Teenage-Mutant-Frogs!

Very interesting and I never heard of it before. In thinking about it, I can see how it could happen.A tree frog could very easily come down the vent and into the gray tank. It would be very rare, but could happen. I wouldn't worry about it happening again. Once you flush several times they will be all gone.Sounds like you don't like them, but it is very interesting to gather some of their egg mass and put them in a small aquarium, watch them hatch and then form into small frogs.Also they would do more good then harm, since they would eat any mosquito larvae, or other small bad aquatic critters. Jack L

Tadpoles in the grey tank?? | Good Sam Community

MrWizard
Moderator
May 26, 2017
I feel sorry for the tadpoles, stupid frog

I would not consider tadpoles as parasites

Unless you have a washing machine for laundry, there is no really good reason for leaving the gray water open

How did a frog get in the gray tank if the dump house is connected to a fhu site
fpresto
Explorer
May 26, 2017
I too would never consider a tadpole a parasite.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
May 26, 2017
I just wonder how the frogs got in there in the first place. Can't have tadpoles without frogs. And I don't think tadpoles qualify as parasites, wanted or unwanted.
Lynnmor
Explorer
May 26, 2017
Just leave the tadpoles in there to eat any residue in the tank. No harmful chemicals needed.
stickdog
Explorer
May 26, 2017
Do as I do. We volunteer so we are parked for months at a time. When we finish a volunteer assignment and disconnect I run the hot water thank till it's cold with a 1/4 cup of Dawn into the grey tank. The hot water and Dawn sloshing around for 200-250 mile breaks up any crud. If we stop at a full hookup park I hook up and drain then with flush king do a back flush on the grey. More nasty stuff comes out.
tvman44
Explorer
May 26, 2017
Bleach should do it. :)
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
May 26, 2017
IF....IF you are going to leave grey tank valve open then make a dip in you sewer hose so critters/sewer flies etc can not come back up and set up house in your grey tank (dip holds water -----'P' trap)

Course leaving it open allows crud to build up because the water trickles out leaving the solids behind (hair, skin cells, body oils, food debris, grease/oils, soap scum, etc)
Grey stuff accumulates, dries out, rots, stinks etc etc.

So no wonder you have 'critters'

Good strong dose of bleach (1/4 cup per 15 gallons to sanitize-----and then a FULL TANK 'whoosh' drain to remove 'stuff'
Pangaea_Ron
Explorer
May 26, 2017
A bit a different situation, but you reminded me about it.

We rented a motorhome from Cruise America in Phoenix about 25 year ago. We asked how safe the water in the fresh water tank was for drinking. His reply was: Buy bottled water, there could be tadpoles living in there. We never know what people have put in the tank, and apparently they don't throughly clean it between rentals?
Deb_and_Ed_M
Explorer II
May 26, 2017
Chlorine should do the trick.
NanciL
Explorer II
May 26, 2017
Very interesting and I never heard of it before.

In thinking about it, I can see how it could happen.
A tree frog could very easily come down the vent and into the gray tank. It would be very rare, but could happen.
I wouldn't worry about it happening again. Once you flush several times they will be all gone.

Sounds like you don't like them, but it is very interesting to gather some of their egg mass and put them in a small aquarium, watch them hatch and then form into small frogs.

Also they would do more good then harm, since they would eat any mosquito larvae, or other small bad aquatic critters.

Jack L