yer apple snails are cheaper and easier than neothurma. i would say have 2m 4-5f but have shells on each side divided by some rocks always looks good gives a more natural look aswel as in the wild they would always have other males to compete with maybe like 6 shells on each side also give the females more choice of males as occasionally a female will go from one male to the other and vice-versa very natural look. i would go for occelatus as they are smaller and easier to keep than say brevis that get quite a lot bigger.