Poop, a problem?

[Joshykins]

I recently put in stump of driftwood in my 5 gal tank, its currently housing 6 Ghost Shrimp and a horde of Pond Snails. My inquiry is whats on my substrate, there appears to be small brown "flecks" I guess you could say. At first I though it could have been loose pieces of wood that fell off of the main stump but i find that hard to believe since i boiled the stump for and hour before placing it in my tank, my second guess at to what it can be it poop. If it is in fact poop: A - will it affect the quality of my water B - how do i get rid of it ? Pics can be provided if necessary.

[Carlo]

If the pieces are rather small, you can certainly use a gravel vacuum next time you perform a partial water change. Pictures would be good though to have a more accurately idea of what it can be.

[Joshykins]

Ive tried using my airline tubing to vacuum it out but theres so much of it and it gets in hard to reach places. I was reading some info on the forum and it turns out that pond snails have a taste for shrimp poop, so it may not be a problem for long. =) ill be posting a pic soon

[Carlo]

Yes, please do. I am not quite sure what to make of your description, because a gravel vacuum should pick up any debris that can fit through the grill, especially soft waste. Furthermore, if there is so much that you cannot vacuum it all, it may not be shrimp waste. As for the pond snails, make sure you get all the info necessary, because you might end up with an infestation of snails.

I'm awaiting your pics.

[Joshykins]

I tried to take a pic with my cell phone and it didnt turn out so well, the clarity is bad, but I'll get my friend to bring over his camera and hopefully have better luck. But as far as the pond snails go im not too concerned, part of the whole reason i started this tank was so i could provide my bestfriend with a viable source of food for his puffer fish and eventually my own. I intend on obtaining cherry shrimp and breeding them but as a pet, not food, the snails on the other hand are another story. I hear pond snails are great for keeping tanks clean, what ever its thats on my substrate is being eaten by the snails.

[Carlo]

Oh, you already got the snails. Well, if it's working for you then great! When you take pics of your tank, take some of the snails also.