Going to try a Betta again...

Hello all, it's been a while since I posted anything and I have been thinking about this one recently. As some of you may know, I have a 4 gallon planted tank and nothing in it (been ghost feeding to keep up cycle) and I think I have decided to go with a Betta. Now, having had a rather dramatic experience with my last betta, I'd really like to get it right this time. I have no idea how, but only a few days after getting my first betta it developed bloat which got worse after doing EVERYTHING. I medicated, I did PWCs every day, I fed daphnia and deshelled peas. Nothing worked. Eventually it turned into dropsy and poor little Galaxy passed away. There are a few things I need to clear up about keeping a Betta before I try my luck again.
Filter: I have a rather simple internal filter that came with the tank and I do t have the money to change it. I'll attach a pic at the end but I don't know how to buffer it as it is quite fast flowing and caused some stress with my other betta.
Feeding: I feel that maybe food was the cause of my Betta's problem but I can't be 100% sure. I fed him tiny little tropical pellets (AquaCare Tropical Pellets) which seem fine but I worry that they will cause bloat. I will attach a pic at the end of them. I want to know any CHEAP brands that are available in the UK (preferably in Pets At Home) that are good for a Betta. I've been looking at some hikarI ones but they seem a little pricey. If my current pellets are fine, do I need to prepare them before I feed them? I will be littering his diet with blood worms as well as I have quite a lot on hand. Thank you in advance, I know you lot are the best to ask!
~Mudkipz
10p coin for reference.

 

First off, I am so sorry for your loss. Rest in peace, little Galaxy.

Filter: Can you add another filter cartridge to baffle it? Like, sandwich the current cartridge with the padding of another one.

Food: I love HikarI Betta Biogold pellets. I don't know about over there, but here they only cost 3-5 US dollars. They will last quite a while for just one Betta. I feed my boy JaI four pellets daily, then I give him five bloodworms once a week, then fast him the day after he eats the bloodworms. He hasn't had any problems with bloat yet, and I have had him since January, I believe.

Good luck with your new fish, we want pictures!

 

Thanks @BornThisWayBetta I will have a look at the hikarI ones online and see if I can get them cheaper. Unfortunately my filter is kind of like a powerhead with a basket underneath it and I don't have any media that would fit in the basket other than what came with it (two tiny sponges). I'll keep this thread updated with pictures and info as an when they come around. I will talk to my parents about taking me to the pet shop and see if they will get me one. I'm hoping for a half moon as I just love their beautiful fins!
~Mudkipz

 

I'm sorry about Galaxy. I had the same problem with my Betta in a 10 gallon, he's small and was being pushed all over. This video helped me baffle my filter and now he's very happy! Just a FYI, make sure the back of the baffle isn't too long so your Betta won't bang or swim into it if he goes behind the filter flow. I hope that made sense and it's great you're getting another Betta, they're awesome.

 

BornThisWayBettas I ordered some Betta BioGold for £2.54! Much cheaper than I expected! It should come soon. My mum is taking me to the Fish Store tomorrow and I know they have some Betta's there. I'll take some pictures and post them on here.
~Mudkipz

 

Bettatude BornThisWayBettas
So I went to the Fish shop and they had a small selection of bettas. There were 4 half-moons and 2 plakats. 3 of the half moons were boring and red but one really caught my eye. It was a mustard gas betta and it was swimming energetically and had no problems visible. It was then a decision between one of the plakats which was a dark black and had beautiful fin form but I went with the MG as it sort of chose me. I'm not gonna feed him today but I'll give him some blood worms tomorrow morning.
~Mudkipz

 

Amazing, he is absolutely beautiful.

What's his name?

About the food, that was a good choice!

 

Fintastic!

 

BornThisWayBettas His name is Sunburst, which I think kind of suits him ☺ Lizzinator Luvin' the puns