Can my tank do well without snails

I don't know that it would compromise the health of your tank, but I would very likely compromise the aesthetic appeal. Perhaps you can try different types of snails.

Mexican Turbos are infamous for getting very large and knocking things around, but are great algea eaters. Just keep your corals in mind if you have them.

Astreas are small, but spend lots of time eating and are very beneficial IMO.

Margaritas are the least hardy IME. And classic for falling on their backs and becoming hermit crab treats. Also temperate water snails.

Ceriths are wonderful sandbed cleaners, although mine tend to spend most of their time mating and laying eggs. I only have 5 of them, but get at least 3 new batches of eggs every week.

Fighting conches or Queen conches are great at cleaning slime algeas and cyano from the sand. Well worth the extra $.

Hermits are omnivores, but seem to prefer meaty treats. I doubt they will keep your algeas under control. If you figure out a way to go snail free, let us know. Best of luck to you!

Glue your corals down .

I've never seen a successful system without snails...

Connie, I've run my 75 gallon tank for the last 2 years with only about 3 Astreas and 7-10 hermits.  A heater break killed them all off and I never replaced until about two weeks ago (I added 20).  My tank has been in great shape without them but I'll admit it's nice to not scrape off the glass off as often now...

I take it that since Mark has not posted here he must have had a heart attack when he saw the original post.  RIP Mark.

Connie, how big do you consider to be medium.  I would love to take some larger snails off you hands anytime.  Where are you located?  I could pay for them, trade smaller ones for them or trade coral frags for them.

I have had all kinds of algae problems in one of my tanks since loosing all but 2 of my snails.  The lack of snails hadn't even crossed my mind for some reason, but after mentioning it to Mark he automatically said "You have no snails."  DUHHH!!!  Come to think of it I didn't have so much trouble when I had 200 snails in there.  Now I have 4.

I've noticed that it is the larger hermits in my tanks that cause problems.

I agree Mark.  I acutally added 20 snails just a couple of weeks ago before I moved the tank.  I wouldn't mind doubling the snail and hermit-crab count.  This is what I've kept telling myself for the last two years...

Connie,
In my (brief) experience.  Any sps that is not securely glued down will get bumped and moved and dropped of a precipice and fall into shadow and doom.

Falling into dark chasms is very bad for their health.  That is what I ment.  Also, it seems to me that just falling down and lying on the sand for half a day every few weeks will cause them to die off.  In our tank, the only sps that has ever stayed in one place long enough to encrust its base has been a glued down one.

Now softies are another story.  I am sold on stitching them to the rock.  I have had more success with that than any other method.