Reddit reviews Nutrafin Max Feeding Ring with Suction Cup

The sponge in the nozzle is a good solution! You have to change it out every once in a while because it will get clogged up with stuff. When I had my betta in his Spec he would mostly lay by the intake slots that shredded his fins and I struggled to find a good solution to the flow problem too. I think as long as he has areas he can go where he doesn't have to fight to swim then he'll be fine. I decided to just get my guy a 10 gallon with a Aquaclear 20 so he would have more space and wouldn't shred his fins/fight the current. The ten gallon is as long as the Spec, just a bit deeper, so I had enough space on my counter to replace it.

You could get or make a feeding ring if he's having trouble chasing down his food. I haven't made one before but I bet any sort of plastic ring secured to the side with a binder clip or something would work!

I think it's awesome how much you're doing for your old guy. Is your spec the new one or the older version? The newer ones have a better light on them and can grow a wider variety of plants. If you're looking for easy plants though I think you got some good ones. Java ferns, Java moss and Anubias'. Did you bury the java fern in the substrate? Java ferns need to have their rhizome out of the water (same with Anubias') so I would suggest tying it to some other decoration or a rock with some sewing thread.

You can use a floating feeding ring, it suction cups onto the side and floats on surface of the water.

You can buy special sinking pellets meant for bottom feeders, they are big so the betta probably wont go after them. Amazon sells a feeding ring you could train him to eat from in order to distract him from his tankmate's food.