Gnats and Snails in tank

[Sylerwin]

1. Gnats- So, About a month ago I noticed that there were gnats around the house. I first suspected that they came in with a potted plant I had bought. Though yesterday, when I opened the glass top of my 'lotl tank to feed him, A few gnats few out, and I noticed some dead ones on the surface of the water. (EW!) I don't know much about gnats, but could they potentially be breeding in my tank? I have a bath loofa/scrubby thing attached to my filter to soften the water flow, and that's half out of the water. Could that be an issue? I have about 2 inches of space open on my tank because my glass lid and filter. Any ideas how to get the gnats out?

2. Snails- I've had snails sneak in my tanks before with plants, but not this kind. I used to have a kind of snail that their shell would come to a point behind them. These though, are completely round and more flat. I noticed maybe 5 in my tank yesterday, was only able to find 3 today, and removed them. Any ideas on how to get rid of snails before they take over?

Thanks.

 

[Jennewt]

See
Caudata Culture Articles - Aquarium Invaders: Algae, Snails, Worms and Other Critters

I have small snails in all my tanks - both regular pond snails and ramshorn snails. As long as the tank is kept cleaned up (especially, no leftover food), they shouldn't ever "take over".

The gnats may indeed be helped by the sponge thing that is half out of the water. You could take it out and rinse it every week. Most outbreaks like this are short-lived. I wouldn't really worry about it.