Okay, so i've heard that i need a syphon as it would make water changing easier, but what kind for a 27.5gal, how much would it cost, and where could i buy one?
Look at www.bigalsonline.com under maintenance and find gravel vacuums. For a 27.5 gallon I'd go for one at least 18" in length. Should run you around $9 not including shipping.
The thing is, the bigger the syphon, the faster the water is removed, the less time you have to remove debris from the bottom, and the higher the chances of you hurting fish.
It all depends on the safety of the fish and how long you want to take cleaning the tank. I'd say a medium is a good size, though I'm not sure what size that'd be.