More Planted tank questions.

[Marx]

Anyone know of good snails to get the play in the sand and substrate to keep it airated?

Any info on thoe green moss balls?

Thanks!!

[gvv]

Just a word of caution. As soon as you will add small snails, you will have a problem how to get rid of them. Large snails sometimes ending with eating the plants...
I use MTSes, but I like them and I have enough fishes which actually do not give them a chance to override the tank (tiger barbs, even kribs). But once I saw a tank of freind of mine with MTSes without enemies. They were everywhere, while mine apear only at night.

[Marx]

i will have clown loaches in this tank!! will thay help?

[gvv]

Yes. In this case they will be controlled...

[Migs]

One of my tanks contain a small colony of snails and have yet to add fish in it.  I don't have any problems with overpopulation.  I guess it depends on the setup.  It's planted tank that was setup a few months ago.  My only problem as far as overpoplulation is with this darned Duckweed!!!  

[gvv]

Hey Migs,

I wanted to say that overpopulation is posible, but not nessesary  
It means, that you have balanced tank :!: . Snails begin breeding like crazy only when they have a lot of food and no enemies at all. Inmy tanks where the food cannot reach the bottom as it is eaten somewhere in the middle, I have to add snail regularly, as they cannot survive on just algae (which MTSes does not like much )

[Migs]

I thought it was because of the equilibrium in the tank.  Although I must admit that it's probably because of luck more than anything!
Does anyone know what environment is necessary for snails to thrive in?  I've been thinking of introducing Clown Loaches but I'm afraid they'll decimate the snail population.  I'm looking for a balance...