I think you should stop adding bacteria. I haven't added any in the past six years. It occurs naturally. You mention slugs so my guess is you are seeing the jelly that surrounds snail eggs. The eggs are very tiny and clear at the beginning and difficult to see. If the "white strings" appeared since you began medicating the fish it might be the result of the medication. Normal fecal matter often appears as strings of various colors that dangle from the bottom of the fish. There shouldn't be a lot of it unless you are really over feeding the fish but the meds could be giving the fishies insides a workout. It is hard to tell without more observation from you. Observation is good. The round pellets are likely from plants in the area or could be from insects. It could be what is called frass, or droppings from larva (caterpillars). It could even be from a soil additive in potted plants. Walnut trees could be responsible. It is not fish poo. More description(size, color, texture) is needed.

Can you post another picture ?

I have been at this FlyLady stuff for a little over one year. And lately, I just find my hands moving to declutter something without any conscious decision beforehand. It's kinda weird to realize that what once was a seemingly insurmountable chore has started to become somewhat automatic. Somewhat. I sometimes still need to talk myself into the daily zone challenge. Sometimes, I don't even get to it. But that's OK. The general trend is toward improvement. I have finally gotten to the point where I truly believe, all the way down to the bone, that I deserve to live in a clean, harmonious house. The motivational reading helps with cultivating that "I deserve a nice place" attitude. At least it helped me. So don't stop reading, just try to put a bit of it into practice as soon as you can bear to make yourself get up and get started. Momentum. That's a good description. I think it's also the contrast of seeing how nice one area looks, and the desire to see the rest of the house looking that nice. I wouldn't say I'm FLYing yet, but I am definitely aware that I have wings, and am starting to flap them a bit. I have learned that procrastination takes a whole lot longer (and a lot more bad feelings because I haven't done "X" yet) than if I just make some time to do even a little bit of the job. I hate to pass by the same mess over and over, and feel bad each time I see it. There is still so much I'd like to do to make our home look nicer; I think I need to prioritize. I ask myself, "What will make the biggest improvement?" If I chose a 15-minute job that shows big results, the feeling of accomplishment boosts me along. Maybe that's the momentum of which you speak.

OH Nancy. That looks like a device of torture. I can see how it would be easier to do if not working. I hope it helps. I totally understand the job stress. Dealing with the same myself The stress for me brought on the worst flair of psoriasis I have ever had. Still suffering from it. Better though now. Been over a year and a half I can barely walk. Like you low pay no befits and yet a couple councilmembers want to own me. Well it is not going to happen. I work approx 6 % or less of the year for my job and the other 94% is my own. They are NOT taking that away from me. Already talked to my boss about it and he said keep facts and figures close at hand as this will be challenged at the next meeting when I finally get the FIRST raise I have had in 4 years. I do not plan to resign because if they fire me I will get unemployment. They have no excuse to fire me. I have done nothing wrong. One councilperson even wants to control my PERSONAL home answering machine. Says the message is not acceptable for a person of my position. Well HELLO this is MY phone. In fact my message is this. You have reached the home of Me and hubby. Since I am the one that pays this phone bill I choose who I allow to annoy me. Leave a message and you will be lucky if I call you back. Now is that so bad?? Yes it is but I have had city phone calls at home starting at 6:50AM up to as lats as 10:30 at night. What makes a person think I want to talk to them about their water bill in my living room. I do have an office. Since I have had this message my phone calls have been reduced to about 90%. PHEW and my health is improving. I no longer answer the phone at home unless I hear who it is and want to talk to them. I refuse to pay for caller ID and then have to grab phone book and try to figure who it is calling. Since I took charge of my own feelings and voiced my opinion to several people my health is improving. Nancy do what you want to do. I hope you heal. I know that Lymphedema is nasty stuff. Stress is nasty stuff. We need to avoid it as best as possible. One little thing I have been doing is taking Holy Basil. It is a great calming herb. No prescription needed. Just be sure to check with your doctor about it first. Sorry I did not come over this side sooner. I forget about this side. How did the interview go??