Keep in mind bettas only attack similar, colorful and long-finned fishes. It's just their nature. Fish that are very similar in the same family anabantids will create some trouble being kept together. Male gouramis will only attack male gouramis, but the betta usually has a broader range. Take for instance, a swordtail. Most are colorful and have a long fin/tail.

The only problem I see is why not just scrub the tank with an algae scrubber? Animals are not tools if taken for that purpose (i.e. algae eating, snail ridding, etc). But if you do want the certain fish or shrimp, then go ahead. It's just that their other "thank you for keeping me nice, healthy, and happy" is eating algae/snails, etc. I hope you understand my point: We keep fish because we like them, not as tools.

Other problem: After the algae is gone, where does the snail get its food? Algae wafers. I've seen some people have trouble feeding their snails because the betta steals the wafer... so every feeding period, they pick it up, put it in its own container and feed it there. I see that as a hassle and irritating...

After the algae is gone by whatever method, try to prevent it.

1. Don't overfeed.

2. Turn off the light whenever you don't view it (don't apply to planted tanks).

3. Move it out of sunlight (if it isn't already).

4. Have a smaller period of light on (ok for low-light tanks). Usually 10-12 hours creates unwanted algae; try 8-10 hours.

Lastly, isn't it less risky to buy an algae scrubber and scrub it quick than buying a snail that might reproduce out of control and overrun your tank?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Cut Here

If life gives you lemons, squeeze them into people's eyes and run away!

}<(((0>

The problems happen when small pond snails hitch a ride on the mystery snail - within its shell, ON its shell, in the water it arrives in.  These guys multiply fast, and will take over the tank.

Also, you can't feed these snails on just algae.  Mystery snails aren't the best algae-eating snails out there, and they will need supplemental food besides just algae wafers.  You can feed them general sinking tablets, like you can buy for corydoras, but if your betta is smart and hungry (and they tend to be both on a pretty regular basis) it may end up stealing that food, which isn't good for either the snail or the betta.

The solution?  Float a piece of zucchini, cucumber, blanched lettuce, squash, etc in the water.  Remove it in a couple days or when it starts to mold, but until then your snail will eat it up.  The betta can have some if he wants it; since it's not a compressed food, it doesn't pose a health risk for him. 

But if that sounds like too much work...get a scrubbing pad and use some elbow grease.

Also remember that snails and other invertebrates actually have a lower tollerance of pollutants than do fish. As such, adding a snail will mean that you'll have to do more frequent water changes and more cleaning. If you actually want to keep the snail well, you'll actually create more work for yourself than just grabbing a scrubbing pad evey once in a while (in addition to your normal water changing routine, of course).

MOA

"Tears aren't a sign of weakness, they're a sign of poor plumbing."

--Dead Men's Lies