Snails do not require a lot. They need clean water, just like fish. A pH from 6 to 7.5 is acceptable. Keep in mind, however, that a lower pH is acidic. This acidic environment can degrade a snails shell, which is made of calcium. So, don't let the pH drop too low. Salinity and Copper are two substances that should be completely avoided because these are toxic to aquatic snails.
Contrary to popular belief, the snails do need to be feed specifically. In a tank with fish, the snail will not be able to compete for food. The snail could die if it is not fed separately. Look father down this page for "snail jello", a creative, homemade snail food recipe. Not only can the snails starve, but a bad diet results in bad shell health.
A snail (unlike a hermit crab) cannot survive without its shell. So, any cracks or thin spots in the shell can be life threatening to the snail. this is why it is very important to have calcium available in the water. The snail can reinforce its shell with this calcium. This can be done by adding cuttlebone to aquarium. Cuttlebone is intended for birds, but it is safe for in an aquarium. It comes cheap, in big pieces. Just break a piece off and weigh it down with a rock. Your snails will come and just sit on it, absorbing the calcium. They will also ingest/eat it directly. Some snails are also very good for eating/cleaning up algae.
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