I think theres enough algae. I let it grow and take over the back wall of my tank. It looks nice and natural against my black background especially behind my plants.
I've got an albino apple snail (Pomacea bridgesii ) and she's pretty good about not eating the plants. Once or twice I've caught her with a leaf in her mouth, but as long as I keep her well fed (she LOVES Hikari wafers) she leaves even the soft, tasty Hygro alone. The downside of her relative non-interest in plants is that it extends to algae - she doesn't eat algae to any significant degree.
If you're looking for a single snail that won't breed in your tank, apples are great - you have to have both sexes for them to breed, so if you only buy one, you'll only ever have one. Mine has laid eggs on the cover glass, but since there's no male to fertilize them, I'm not overrun with snails.
Apple snails (depending on the type) can get as big as a softball, and if you're looking for a 'pet' snail, I recommend them - just be prepared to return it if you get a rogue like Swimfins did
LOl I loved him. But I like my plants too. He didn't touch the swords, he ate one of the rotting leaves, but left the plant alone. But he devoured my big green leafy one. (I don't know what plant it is, its green but reddish leaves at the top where it gets more light) He was a about 2 inches round.
My vote would go to red ramshorns, they wont eat your plants, they are really cool, they will cross the street to eat algea ( not literally they do stay in the tank very well), and they grow to a reasonable size (3/4"- 1"). MTS's are great as well, but I find them far less enjoyable to watch as they spend most of their daylight hours underground. They are also IME very slow with the cleanup stuff. Of course you could get MTS's and ramshorns they will live together.
dave
I was looking in my tank this morning to see how my little Oto (gonna call him VW for now) was doing, (his buddy, Edsel didn't last long, poor guy... anyway) and I found me a snail!! I was so excited! Too little to ID though, maybe 1/8" now. I think he snuck in on my mystery plant yay.