Well when i did my marine i waited about 4-6 weeks before i added snails, but with tropical it can be about 5 days or so, If you get it right. I just used to wait till all my tests were right and put in hardy fish for a start to get the cycle going though.

When setting up leave everything running like fish are already in there as this will start a cycle going. Also you can add stuff that will speed up the process of the cycle. When added fish keep doing water changes till the water levels stays at 0 (ammonia and nitrite, can do other tests)

As for the oscar i think its a great fish to go with. Mine you, you cant put alot with them as such but what you can put with them look fantastic (when fully set up) There not like other fish, i find there kinda like a dog... that you dont walk. You can feed it by hand or get it to swim though hoops for food. Mine use to jump out the water and take food from my hand or follow my hand around.

TIP: dig up some worms in your back garden and feed him with them and they will love them, Mine did (If he dont eat them dont feed him them again)

You can put a ping pong ball in and some will "play" with it but mine never use too.

If you have the room look at getting tinfoil barbs as they liven tanks up also silver dollars and loads of pretty cichlid fish. Remember though oscars can be nasty and kill alot of other fish.

Whlie i remember they dont like plants, well i have had 4 oscars and they all rip plants to bits. They will custom there tank to how they want it by moving stones if there not to big.

This is the tank i hope it set up soon (picture from where it came from, not my set up)



Never thought ill say all that on passion ford!