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You have to do what you think is best. Remember I have a 100% planted 220g tank with 6 large loaches and the only plant I can't grow is HC because they do uproot it. You can trap the pond snails but you will never get them all.
Yes the plants use ammonia and nitrates so low nitrate readings in a planted tank isn't unusual. As for raising your ph I wouldn't bother unless it continues to fall. When you do a WC or two it will add enough buffers back into the water to raise your Kh and Ph.