Snail problem...

OK, I know many people on here have posted about having snail problems... but mine is a bit unique...

Here is my problem: I have some new freshwater plants that I am holding in a small 10gal tank along with my apple snail, which I would love to keep.

I am currently sinking some driftwood to put into a new 20H tank and once it is done, I will be cycling it and moving these new plants and my apple snail to the 20H tank. I would like to eventually get a few community fish as well.

The problem is that along with these new plants, I have TONS of little, unwanted snails (I kind of expected some, but not this many!) and I need some way to get rid of them off of my plants, and out of my tank without killing my apple snail.

Will loaches kill my apple snail?? Or, if cleaning my entire tank out is my only option, how do I remove the smaller snails from my new plants?

Thanks in advance

well, I don't own any loaches yet, I'm considering buying some. I've heard that there are a few species that don't grow as large as clowns, but I really don't know how big they get. Also, if I bought some loaches, I would probably keep them, for a dual purpose, not just for control.

but my question is, will the loach kill my apple snail? it's a pretty large snail, almost the size of a quarter.

well, see, I don't have any fish in the tank. I'm waiting to buy new fish until I get my other tank up and running.

the only feeding I'm doing is algae pellet things for my apple snail, but of course, the other snails love that too.

If I try to lettuce, will they go for it? I mean, I have live plants in there, wouldn't they just go for those instead?

OK thanks I will try that.

what about celery? will that work? I have some in my fridge now lol