Snails - Benifit or Pest?

I like snails, I find them fascinating to watch. But I don't want them
in my tank, partly because of population control issues, and partly
because (tho this may be misinformed, I am pretty new to this) I heard
they scratch the acrylic. I figure I'll do enough damage myself that I
don't need any help.

I find my otos and ghost shrimp (when I can keep them alive) keep the
tank spic and span. And plus they don't poop alot either like snails do.
Or at least the plant eating ones do.

I do have a bucket of plants infested with pond snails (good thing that
I decided to quarantine them first!). I was thinking maybe it's time to
expand further into the hobby and get a tank large enough for loaches,
seeing that I already have free food for them...

Martin A. Gross wrote:
You know those little snails that come with every plant you buy? Why are
they considered to be a pest? Don't they virtually eliminate algae on plant
leaves? What is everyone's opinions of them? Are they beneficial to planted
aquariums, or are they a nuisance?

Marty




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