Snails

I think this subject might have been covered before, so my apologies in
advance if I'm wasting anyone's time.

My 3' x 18" x 18" tank has heaps of small snails resident, which I think
came with plants I bought from a LFS. Didn't realise at the time I
should have givent the plants a quick bath in something before I planted
them in the tank - I'll know next time.

I pick them out of the tank as they get close to where I can get at them
- but its obviously going to be a never-ending job, as I bet they breed
faster than I pinch (!) Someone did tell me that snails aren't
necessarily all bad, as they do clean up excess food, some algae etc.

I went to another LFS and asked, and they showed me "Snail-Rid" which
they said would work. However, it expressly mentioned a problem in soft
water aquariums, which mine is, and I don't want to lose any of the fish
I have (guppies right now, and they don't seem to have any adverse
reactions to the snails, altho I believe the snails can harbor disease
that can be passed on to fish).

My question is - I thought I read the Clown Loaches will help reduce
snail quanities - is that so? I read up on them, and see they're
carnivorous, bottom dwellers etc, but no mention of any effect on
snails. Also, if they're carnivorous, what could happen to the guppies?

Alternatively, does anyone have any suggestions? I am thinking I'd buy a
2nd small tank, transfer the fish to it - clean the bigger tank,
restock with treated plants, new gravel etc. A big task, but it probably
might pay off for other reasons in the future. I've got 2 of everything,
pumps, heaters etc, so I'd only be buying a tank. If I did, and
suggestions on size?

I'd appreciate any comments.

Regards

Barrie