Parasite snails?

Question
Gerry,

I have been gone for over 8 months, serving in Iraq. I had a saltwater tank, still do but theres nothing left. NO fish or coral. All thats alive are hundred of tiny/small snails roaming my tank. Not sure what to do at this point. obviously my tank has not been cleaned, no water changes, etc. Water looks crystal clear. Hopefully you can give me some advice to get rid of these snails/parasites. My initial thought was to drain out all of the water and let everything die out. Not sure if thats a good idea because of the beneficial bactercia that could be present. DO u have any ideas?  

Answer
FIRST OF ALL, GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR BROS FOR DOING THE DIRTY WORK, SO WE CAN HAVE OUR LIVES HERE. THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY SOUL. NOW TO YOUR SNAIL PROBLEM. NEVER HAD TO ERRADICATE SNAILS SO I WILL SEND YOU TO A SITE WHERE YOU SHOULD GET HELP. PRIMARILY, YOU SHOULD TEST YOUR WATER FOR AMMONIA, NITRITES, NITRATES, PH AND SALINITY. THERE ARE BODIES OF WATER AROUND THE WORLD, CRYSTAL CLEAR, WITH NO LIFE TO SPEAK OF.IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THE TEST KITS TAKE A WATER SAMPLE TO YOUR LOCAL FISH EMPORIUM. A PINT SHOULD BE MORE THAN ENOUGH. IF THE WATER TESTS OKAY YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO SIPHON SOME OFF TO SEED YOUR TANK IF YOU HAVE TO DISCARD ALL TO GET RID OF THE SNAIL INFESTATION. GO TO ABOUT.COM, CLICK ON HOBBIES AND GAMES, NEXT PAGE CLICK ON SALTWATER AQUARIUMS AND YOU WILL BE AT THE WEBSITE RUN AND MANAGED BY THE HAUTERS. THEIR LIST OF PAST ARTICLES SHOULD CONTAIN THE INFO YOU NEED. I WOULD ALSO TRY GOOGLE AND TYPE IN SALTWATER AQUARIA SNAIL TYPES AND SEE WHAT COMES UP. ALSO ASK THE SAME OF WICKEPEDIA. THANK YOU FOR SERVING AND PUTTING YOUR LIFE ON THE LINE FOR US, AND LET ME KNOW HOW YOU MAKE OUT WITH THE ADVICE. GERRY.