How long does it take to cycle a tank?

[Scarn_Sans]

Ok so, im a starter axolotl keeper, and I do have 2 axolotl juveniles waiting for the tank to be cycled. (Yes, they are currently tubbed, fed once a day via bloodworms, and 100% waterchange every day). I just managed to start the cycle today in my 10 gallon aquarium, and im doing the quickstart (API), and fishfood method. Im wondering how long it will take for this tank to cycle, and how much I should check its nitrates/Nitrites and ammonia? Im getting so many mixed results, usually it being 6 weeks? And can a cycle start without a filter? I dont plan on putting a filter in it due to various reasons, But I do have bacterial sponge filter in it, which should do the trick normally anyhow. Any answers will really help, as this is the first time ive ever heard of cycling a tank when fish keeping. Heres a picture of their setup.

They have two live Plants in their tank if that helps any.

(As a bonus, you can see Dribble/Dream Photobombing in the container on the tank <3)

 

[wolfen]

10 gallon is way too small for 2 axolotls (it's also too small for 1) once they are fully grown they won't have much room to turn around (although rare they have the potential of reaching 18 inches in length), 30 gallon minimum for two axolotls.
it will be difficult to cycle the tank to be able to cope with 2 adult axolotls (they will grow fast and be adults at around 18 months, some mature faster, some slower) you will have issues with either excessive ammonia or extreme levels of nitrates.
you wont be able to cycle an axolotl tank with the fish food method, it will start the cycle but wont ensure that the filtration/tank can cope with the high levels of waste produced by an axolotl, normal cycling for an axolotl tank (20 gallons for one, 30 for two etc..) would be to have the ammonia levels at 4ppm ammonia per day until the filtration is able to remove 4ppm ammonia in a 24hr period.

 

[Scarn_Sans]

10 gallon is way too small for 2 axolotls (it's also too small for 1) once they are fully grown they won't have much room to turn around (although rare they have the potential of reaching 18 inches in length), 30 gallon minimum for two axolotls.
it will be difficult to cycle the tank to be able to cope with 2 adult axolotls (they will grow fast and be adults at around 18 months, some mature faster, some slower) you will have issues with either excessive ammonia or extreme levels of nitrates.
you wont be able to cycle an axolotl tank with the fish food method, it will start the cycle but wont ensure that the filtration/tank can cope with the high levels of waste produced by an axolotl, normal cycling for an axolotl tank (20 gallons for one, 30 for two etc..) would be to have the ammonia levels at 4ppm ammonia per day until the filtration is able to remove 4ppm ammonia in a 24hr period.

Yep, im waiting on a 25/30 gallon, this is just a temporary home. for two small juveniles. They have a good year/6months before they hit full size. And what should I use? the dr's ammonia stuff? (I do plan on moving them to a 25 gal at least by the time a few months come. But we are hopefully planning on moving, so, I cant get one quite yet. But I assure you, I can get this done, I just needed to know how to properly cycle a 10g for two juveniles.)

 

[wolfen]

dr tims is the most popular form of ammonium chloride used for cycling.

 

[Scarn_Sans]

alr, ty, I have done tons of research in the past few hours, and Now I know how long it'll take!