snails, good or bad?

Question
I purchased a clump of Java a few weeks ago, and days later I found minute snails in my tank. Now there are 4-5 of them and are growing quickly. This morning I discovered another one, very tiny. Should I get rid of them? I don't wany my tank over run with snails!! My tank is 29 gal. I have 6 platys, 9 neon tetras, 3 cory cats and 8 zebra danios. Oh, and 3 tiny platy fry. I have had the tank just over 2 months. Everyone looks healthy and chemistry is OK.

Answer
Well, the "bad news" is they are going to grow and multiply faster then rabbits!  The "good news" is that they are harmless, although a huge pain in the neck.  They lay their eggs which look like clumps of snot (lol....best description) right at water level, so if you see clumpy snot-like dots at water level, be sure to wipe them right away so they do not have a chance to hatch.  

Now, you can buy a product called "had a snail" which will kill the snails in the tank and not harm the fish (or most fish, you need to read the directions), and it works great.  If you do not stop it, they will keep going and going and going.  You can take them out and throw them away, or you can buy a fish that enjoys eating snails, and that will help too....they love eating the small crunchy snails.  These are usually in the "loach" family.  Do not, however, get a "Clown Loach" as they get huge and are not suitable for a 29 gallon tank.  Just reasearch "Loaches" online and find one that stays relatively small and will be happy in a 29 gallon tank.

I hope this helps give you some ideas.  Good luck.  Anyone with fish has gone through this if they bought live plants, etc.  There IS a dip you can do to kill these snails prior to putting the plant in your tank, just do some research on it.

Good luck!!