Always have two filters on a tank

[funwun]

I always have at least one canister running along with a sump on my larger tanks and dual canisters on my 55 and under. Also use one or multiple of the same water pump on all for easy replacement and I keep 2 spares on hand at any time. Always better safe then sorry... Emergency reaction options are; replace water pump, run canister as circulation pump to keep sump BB thriving or at least alive, canister alone and place bio media in tank, or just run canister alone, depending on severity and time.

 

[WckedMidas]

just a air powerd sponge filter can save the day in one of them moments

 

[kdrun76]

I cannot count the number of times I have found a dry filter over the years. One filter is just asking for trouble.

I am glad you learned with out loosing any fish.

 

[Egon]

I have backup pumps for all my tanks! Specifically, I have one back up pump. It has 1" fittings on intake and return and it can be run submersible or external and all my tanks run 1" lines. Cool huh. I can put this one pump anywhere, canister filters or sumps. I can have it installed in 30 minutes or less. The trick is noticing an issue in time. All my larger tanks run at least two filters so if one goes out I'm not 100% down. I recomend when expanding your hobby to mutible tanks try to go with one size fitting. I picked 1" because it's so common.
Next purchase is a backup generator!