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I am new to buying a canister filter. In short here is my question.

Since I am tight on funds, can i buy used from ebay/craigslist.

Also, I plan to have a 55 gallon tank. Going by the 5x rule i will need about 275 Gph. Is this true?

Lastly, I can get either:
eheim 2227 professional wet/dry filter.all tubes fixtures included.150.00.
eheim 2217 filter.$80.00
e 2215 eheim filter $70.00

are these good prices and if so which one is good to clean my tank thoroughly. THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!

I can answer a few of your questions.

Yes, you can buy from ebay or Craigslist, but be sure that the filter is completely operational, and you'll need to discard all of the existing media if it is used and give it a very good scrubbing. 10% vinegar solution in water flushed through a few times should be good too.

Yes, 275 gph or so.

I can't comment on the prices, but Eheim is top of the line, I believe. If you want to save some additional money, you can look into Rena and Fluval filters. A brand new Rena XP3 should run you around $220, so a used one may be found much lower.

i got a fluval 405 brand new off ebay for $107 shipped this afternoon so you might wanna check, you never now what you might find lol

There's a decent selection of filters out there Rena, Fluval, etc.. in the 300GPH range that are way cheaper than Ehiem. Just don't get a generic ebay unit and you'll be good.

I will only speak from experience. The Marineland Magnum 350 is good and the Fluval 405 is good. I have had good luck with both. The Fluval is a little quieter but that is all. The 5x rule is a good one but that is the least you should use. A 300 to 350 gph for a 55 is good. m.

Of course you can buy used equipment from ebay/craigslist...as a matter of fact I recomend it...especially if your "tight on funds". About a month or so ago I bought a used 55 gal tank off ebay for $30 and just last week I got a Rena XP3 canister filter for only $69.

Eheim might be top of the line, but it's not a great value. I've learned that Flow rate, and media capacity count for more than anything.

I have an Eheim 2228 Wet/Dry with three Baskets. It's a PITA to prime you actually have to supply suction to the Vent tube to prime it.

Fact of the matter is if you can pay $80-ish for a used Canister you can save up just a little bit more and get a good one that you won't have to replace as your turtle and tank setups get larger.

You are better off with more than 5x unless you turn it into a blender. I have a 29 gallon tank with a 350 gph and it has a little swirl in the water which is just fine. m.