neilzomg said:
Covers the front of the glass with a small green film, and on the fake plants there is some hair algae
The algae film on the glass should be dealt with. This is always due to high light plus nutrients. You mention plants initially, so in a planted aquarium you want to find the balance of light/nutrients that will provide what the plants need, but not more (or less) as this is when algae encroaches. However, it is still normal to have "common" green algae appear here and there, such as on the inside glass, even when you have the balance. The aquarist has to deal with this. During the weekly water change, run a sponge-type scraper over the inside of the glass, on the front pane at least. Even if you don't see algae, it is likely forming, and doing this every week will prevent seeing it. All surfaces covered by water form a biofilm that attracts many micro-organisms, including algae. You simply have to deal with it. Having said that, it sometimes appears in one tank and not another, which can only be put down to the variation that exists biologically between every aquarium.
As for the "hair algae," I will guess that this is more likely some form of brush algae, which many term "hair." This is due again to an imbalance, especially too bright light (or sometimes too long in duration if the light is otherwise balanced with nutrients).
On the snails, they do eat algae but they will not be effective with any but the most normal and minimal "common" algae. Their usefulness in controlling algae is best when the light/nutrient balance is achieved. Algae is very opportunistic, because it can make do with light/nutrient levels that are much less specific than what plants require. For example, algae can increase simply due to the increased period of daylight entering a room in summer, or when the aquarium light tubes become worn out so they no longer emit sufficient intensity.
Some aquarists suggest that ramshorn snails may eat plants. In the literature, they are said to not do this, as they like pond, bladder and livebearing snails will eat dying and decaying plant matter but not healthy living plant tissue. However, there are other species of "ramshorn" type snails that grow larger and do eat plants, so this may partially explain the confusion.
Byron.
/www.planetinverts.com/ramshorn_snail.html
