38 gallon tank cycle ???

That sucks bro. I'd start fresh with new water to remove the chemicals, add some media from an established tank into the filter and a scoop of gravel as well to help jumpstart the colonies. Maybe run some carbon for a few hours before you add the bacterial media and substrate to limit the chances of just killing them off again.

Let two of those little guys filth the place up and monitor the levels everyday. It shouldn't be longer than 3 weeks to have a strong enough ecosystem to support another fish. That fourth week, if all is well add another the next week. Be sure not to take too much from the established tank, don't want to start a mini cycle over there.

That's just how I was taught. More experienced people will be coming by soon enough to correct me if I'm wrong.
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Oh man. I just realized you were trying to establish a pair? That would be counter productive separating them all. Close call here... If you can check the water religiously for ammonia and feed lightly you could get away with all of them. If you really want to cover your bases with less stress you could buy some "bacteria in a bottle".

I've used this stuff coupled with old filter media with great success.

http://www.tsbiolabs.com/product_p/ac-125.htm

There is other products on the market that will do the same thing but they don't come with the lifetime bio media this does.

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Good choice man.

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