Pond Snails. Should I Be Worried?

[Mr Bliss]

My planted tank is starting up nicely so far, but today I noticed a couple of what look like baby pond snails, ie. snails of the "pest" variety. Their eggs must have hitched a ride on one of the plants. Now, I don't mind having snails, even lots of them. I used to keep a marine reef tank, so in my mind the more critters creeping about, the better. But since this is a heavily planted tank that's supposed to stay reasonably good looking, I can't help wondering:

Exactly how destructive plant-eaters are they?

I seem to be getting very good plant growth (high-ish light, CO2, ferts), although I may buy more slower-growing species later on. Will a population of pond snails multiply and shred all my plants, or will things be OK as long as the plants grow pretty fast? Rumor has it the snails prefer algae over plant leaves, and older leaves over newer ones, both of which sound like a good thing, but I have no idea if what I've heard is based on reality. In short, should I try to exterminate them now when there are only a few, or just let them be?

(Not going to put any kind of poison in my tank, and I have no plans to get loaches or kribs either.)

 

[aaronnorth]

they will be ok, there is a snail eating snail if you dont want them! but they may eat dshrimps.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

the thing to remember with snail control is that the popultion will only get out of hand if you are consistently overfeeding. the population will multiply according to what food there is in the tank for them. so providing you don't overfeed then you'll only every get a few snails and it's really only when the population gets out of control that they cause serious damage to the plants.

 

[Mr Bliss]

Thanks. I think the little snails are kind of cute so I'm glad I can keep them. I like the fact that they are active during the day, as opposed to trumpet snails which I plan to get as well.