Disease and General Tank Setup

Question
Hello, I had a family emergency and had to leave my betta
behind for a few weeks. I was able to get someone to feed
him, but no water changes ever took place. He was in a 5
gallon tank and is now in a 2.5 gallon tank. When I came
back, there was green growing on the sides and he did not
look well. I set up the new 2.5 gallon tank did a full water
change immediately, but one of his eyes is swollen and he
has lost much of his color. I feel so badly that this has
happened and that I couldn't be there and now I'm trying to
repair the damage.

I purchased Jungle's Fungus Eliminator (a yellow powder) and
Jungle's Antibiotic Food which looks exactly like the
pellets he's used to eating. I treated his water last night
and the water now has a yellowish haze to it and looks
dirty. Is that normal/ok?

Also, I'm having a difficult time getting him to eat this
new food. He had been eating perfectly fine until I changed
foods and he hasn't eaten a single one. I really want him to
take it! Should I switch back to his regular food so he's
eating SOMETHING, or should I give the medicated kind time?

I'm so concerned about him and want to do everything I can
to make him better. I wish I had never had to leave him.

He acts normally, swims around, makes his bubble nests,
etc... Is there anything I can do? Is what I am using to
treat him OK?

Also, when I first set up his tank, it came with a filter.
Well, the filter created too much suction as the water
poured out of it and he had a difficult time staying out of
the  current, even with a large plant beneath it to try to
break the current up a bit, so I just took it out altogether
and made sure I did frequent water changes. I would like to
set up a filter just in case something like this were to
ever happen again. Do you have any suggestions for a filter
that won't stir up the water so much?

I truly appreciate any help you can give. Thank you for your
time!

Answer
Karen,

 Lets see if i can help one part at a time. Sorry to here your Betta is ill.

When you say his eye is swollen, does it look like it has "popped" out? Using the Jungle's Fungus Eliminator can tint the water yellow. Make sure to do a 25% water change before adding the medication in. The rule of fin is never treat a fish with medication if there is no reason to. I would fast him for a couple of days and then try the medicated food again. Betta's can go for 2 weeks sometimes longer with no food. I would like for you to take a look at him from above and tell me what his scales look like. Are they smooth? Pop out like a pine cone? If he is acting fine ie eating swimming bubble nest making then I would not treat him for anything. I would turn his heater up to about 84 degrees, and add an air stone to his tank. The heater going up depletes much needed oxygen and the air stone puts it back in.

Being in the same water for a few weeks could have devastating results. I would say that he might have a few problems, most of which can be helped with perfect water and the right temperature.

I would give him a salt bath, instruction are below.

Betta's do not like filters with strong currents, so I make my own. They work great and the fish love them. The sponge filter is the best. If you cannot find one there let me know and I will instruct you on how to make one. I have 11 adults and quite a few fry and they all have filters including my 1 month old fry.


SALT WATER BATH (DIP):

      Get a container that can hold 1 gallon of water the same temp as the tank water. Add 1 teaspoon of aquarium salt that has been dissolved before adding your fish to that water. If you don't dissolve it first it can burn your fish. Let him swim in this water for 15 minutes, watching him closely the entire time he is in there. I want you to watch him in case he starts to have a problem, you can remove him from the salt water immediately. I would do this 2 times a day, but never in the same water. Always make fresh salt water every time you put him in. Some people say if you add aquarium salt to the tank, it helps prevent this problem. I would do this for 5 days and see if that helps him.

Please, let me know how it goes or if you have any more questions