When I got my tank, I had no clue about cycling. I loaded it with wild fish and they cycled it for me, so I've never had to worry about cycling a tank. What I'm saying is, I wouldn't know. As far as I know, there is a pinned topic in the newbie forum with some very helpful advice on cycling - when I get a decent tank, if I ever get a decent tank, I will follow it because it sounds pretty accurate.
I also have to do water changes all the time because my tank, like your 10 gal, has a lot of fish in it for its size. I have been flamed for overstocking many times, but my fish are happy and healthy and my water quality is perfect. I would still kill for a big tank, because I can't keep anything big in my tiny tank. There's a difference between lots of fish in a small tank and big fish in a small tank - the latter is just cruel IMO.