Cheap Filters

Wanted to know if a filters a filter no mater what the price. the reason i ask this is because i recently got a 55g tank filled it as soon as it was home (after a good clean) but only enough so the filter and heater from my old tank (4-5g) could keep things going. I did this to get my fish out of there old tank (4-5g) and into the bigger one cause it was over stocked. on the weekend i got some sand to do 2 thirds of the tank bottom and the other third is gravel. due to me being poor at the moment (changed jobs) i couldn't aford the filter system i wanted so i got a cheapie (15$aus) and the proper heater for my tank.

Now will this filter do the same job as a 50$ one apart from not looking as good and being a bit of a pratt to clean?

Any opinions would be welcome.

(if i missed anything or don't make sense tell me and ill try to rephrase it)

i will get a camera today and take a pic. its flow is about 750lph i also have a second one with a flow of 350lph there are 5 neon tetra 4 guppies and 2 bristle nose plecs and a few baby snails runing around. the tank is about 55g 200l i think.