True enough... most LFS's still recommend using damsels. Fact is, cycling with damsels was once the preferred method for many hobbyists. Now days we know it's not nessesary... and considered cruel by some.
weasertt, do you have a skimmer?? If so, turn it on... normally I don't like running a skimmer or doing water changes during the cycle because it can prolong the cycle but with the 5 damsels, both would help keep your levels down.
Now days I'm a big advocate of fishless cycles but truthfully I cycled my first tank years ago with damsels because that's what I was told to do by my LFS... so don't worry about it... live and learn... just try to keep them comfortable or consider returning them.