Wow you're not familiar with aquaclears? They're the titan of hobs with marineland a good second. I have 3 ACL 110s on my main tank containing 4lbs ceramic media each with sponge pre filters...you just remove the basket inside and use the huge capacity...customize it any way you want...more on this in the filtration threads later.Really can't say when the snails arrived. Got some Bacopa a month back, but the tank that it is and has been in is a snail free zone. Mostly I take cuttings from my own plants and spread around my tanks.
Yeah I guess Aqueons are pretty decent filters. The Aqueon HOBs usually last me about 2 years. I have one that is about 5 yrs is in storage as a backup right now. Seems like I have traded parts with some of the non working ones.
I'll have to look up Aquaclears. May be familiar with them. There are a lot of Aqua somethings.
Had aquaclears before and got 'em now.