Snails, snails, snails...

I want to pick up about 25 snails for my tank...Which is be best snail and eats a variety of algae (hair algae one of them).  I think astrea snails are good at cleaning, however, they die so easy.  You have to always pick them up and turn them over.  I wonder how they make it in the ocean?  Are Nerite and margarita snails good?

I think im going to buy 20 snails and 20 crabs.  I found a good place on Ebay...I might drive to utah and go to mountain shadow marine...we shall see

I hate Mexicans. They always knock everything over

...Of knocking things down. Lol. I hate them, But that is just my opinion

You are right to be looking for snails. Most newer hobbyists need more snails than they realize to keep algae from getting out of control. I've had tanks since I was a kid but when I finally got to snorkle in the ocean I saw algae and snails everywhere. In the surf zone I saw a snail every 5 inches and no nusiance algae. In my experience, snails are the key.

My choice would be like you said, to drive in to MSM. The size of their hermits and quality/health of their snails is worth the extra money and they usually have the three best types of snails. (I'd call first to check before making the drive.)

Astrea snails must be turned right side up when introduced into the tank. They cannot right themselves. They don't ship as easily so are more stressed when they come in from the internet.

Snails and Hermits by themselves are not the complete answer to getting control of an overgrown nuisance algae like hair algae. There have been some good and very recent threads specifically about hair algae that you could read. There is a also good article here about getting control of an algae problem: http://www.utahreefs.com/SeaStar/wmasSeaStar02Feb.pdf

This is a very enjoyable hobby because any problems can be solved and even avoided with a little help from your fishy friends here on the WMAS UtahReefs MB.