New Tank Advice

[benster4395]

Hello, I established a tank for 4 shrimp after taking them out a an ecosphere and they appear to be doing much better. I am planning on adding more shrimp and snails to my 2 gallon container. My first question is how do I know if the tank is ready for snails? I think it has fully cycled (cycling probably over a month now) but is there anyway for me to confirm that this will be a healthy environment for the snails?
I've also noticed a lot of black specks appearing around the most common shrimp hangout spot. Is this just poop or could it be something bad? I've attached pictures of the tank and the black specks.
How many shrimp can a 2 gallon contain sustain?

[KenCotigirl]

Since you have shrimp in your tank already then adding snails now is fine. The black cylinders looks like poop.

KenP

[benster4395]

Thanks for the reply, is it okay to just leave the poop? I only have 4 shrimp in there right now and plan getting around 15 more. Will my sand eventually become carpeted in poop or will decompose fast enough?

[Varanus]

The snails should help breakdown/bury waste directly and indirectly.

[Mustafa]

In Supershrimp tanks with substrates you should never have to remove any poop or debris. I have tanks running for over 10 years with over 1000 shrimp in them...never had to vacuum the substrate or anything...or change any water.

[Flippers]

In Supershrimp tanks with substrates you should never have to remove any poop or debris. I have tanks running for over 10 years with over 1000 shrimp in them...never had to vacuum the substrate or anything...or change any water.

What happens to the poop? Do the snails eat it? At some point we'll have to take it out, right?? In 20 years?? What about small tanks? Will it not cause an ammonia spike?
I keep reading "don't do water changes", etc. but I have to admit that I'm nervous

[Super Jess]

The poop just disappears! Snails and beneficial bacteria eat it up, and the algae is sustained by the nutrients it releases into the ecosystem. It's a loop

[Flippers]

The poop just disappears! Snails and beneficial bacteria eat it up, and the algae is sustained by the nutrients it releases into the ecosystem. It's a loop

Magic