Bba treatment with Crypts and

I encountered some bba in my tank a few weeks back and have been doing some research on how to get rid of it.

I saw hydrogen peroxide can get rid of it but then I also saw it can be harmful to crypts or valisneria? Then I also found out excel can be harmful for those too?
I have Christmas moss, valisneria, crypts, and an Amazon sword and also some snails n a few platies. Any ideas on the best way to get rid of it?
Here’s a pic, this is bba right?(i kmow the obvious answer would be to cut off the affected leaf but this isn’t the only leaf/plant with it)

 

I tried all the various ways to get rid of mine. I added HP followed by Excel two different times. The treatment did kill off a lot of it but sadly it came back. The treatment killed off my stem plants and vals in the process.

I was finally able to get a Siamese Algae Eater. This little guy is doing an amazing job on it. I suspect he/she will have eaten all of it within a few months. Everything in my 55 was covered in it. From all I've read s/he will grow to 4 inches so may be a bit big for your 20 gallon once full grown but may still work out well for you.

 

When I had BBA I used Flourish until I managed to get a CO2 system set up which helped a lot. I also added a pair of SAE and a group of ottos. Happy to say that BBA hasn't shown its face in my tank since

 

I second the SAE. Other methods kill it, but, if you're not dealing with the cause, it just comes back. SAEs stay on top of it.

https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/algae-problems-and-how-to-deal-with-them.188662/

 

I'm hesitant to mention this, because other people (like mattgirl) have had problems, but I've used Excel in tanks with vallisneria and crypts and haven't had any issues. Maybe don't do the initial large first dose that's recommended on the label, but use the smaller daily dose and apply it directly to the BBA with a syringe?

 

I'm hesitant to mention this, because other people (like mattgirl) have had problems, but I've used Excel in tanks with vallisneria and crypts and haven't had any issues. Maybe don't do the initial large first dose that's recommended on the label, but use the smaller daily dose and apply it directly to the BBA with a syringe?

In my case I don't think it was the Excel alone that caused the problem for me. I think it was the combination of both hydrogen peroxide followed by the Excel. Neither bothered my crypts or amazon sword though. I do think if one starts with a very low dose of Excel and gradually builds up the amount added it will keep it from shocking the plants.

I know I could not keep the BBA at bay with Excel alone so was thrilled when I was finally able to get a more natural way of controlling this ugly stuff. I am sure most of y'all are aware of how I frown on adding extra chemicals to our tanks so doing what I was doing went against everything I advise. If we can find a natural way to do something chemicals claim to do then we should do our best to go the natural way if at all possible.