post your program here

[Bruder]

My first attempt at programming. Any input/advice would be strongly welcomed

RT1#-A01; return pump
CO2#-A02; CO2 Solenoid
CAL&-A03; Calcium Reactor Pump
PHR&-A04; right side koralia pump
SKM#-A05; skimmer
KAL&-A07; kalk reactor stirrer
TOP#-A08; top off
ALM&-A09; alarm
FAN&-B01; halide fan
MH1$-B02; halide
PHL$-B03; left side koralia pump
PHC#-B04; center koralia pump
FUG$-B05; fuge light
MED&-B06; media reactor
HTR%-B07; heater
MON$-B08; moon light
CFD&-B09; Calcium Reactor Feed Pump


If Time > 00:00 Then ALM OFF
If Time > 00:00 Then SKM ON
If Time > 00:00 Then RT1 ON
If Time > 00:00 Then CAL ON
If Time > 00:00 Then CFD ON
If Time > 00:00 Then FUG ON
If Time > 00:00 Then FAN OFF
If Power 000 Then ALM ON

OSC 005/240 ON/OFF Then KAL ON
If Timer KAL = ON Then TOP OFF
Max Change 030 M Then TOP OFF
If pH > 08.40 Then TOP OFF
Max Change 030 M Then TOP OFF

IF pH1 < 6.45 Then CO2 OFF
IF pH1 > 6.45 Then CO2 ON
IF pH1 > 6.51 Then CO2 OFF
IF pH1 < 6.0 ALM ON
IF pH1 > 7.0 ALM ON

If Temp < 78.8 Then HTR ON 

If Temp > 78.9 Then HTR OFF

If Temp > 79.1 Then FAN ON 

If Temp < 79.0 Then FAN OFF

If Temp > 82.0 Then MH1 OFF

Max Change 060 M Then MH1
If Temp < 77.5 Then ALM ON

If Temp < 77.5 Then HTR OFF

If Temp > 82.5 Then ALM ON

If Time > 11:00 Then MH1 ON
If Time > 18:00 Then MH1 OFF

If Time > 18:00 MON ON
If Time > 11:00 MON OFF

If FeedA 010 Then RT1 OFF
If FeedA 045 Then SKM OFF
If FeedA 000 Then PHL OFF
If FeedA 000 Then PHR OFF
If FeedA 000 Then PHC OFF

 

[jimmyc]

Hi this is my first attempt at programming my ACIII. I dont have aquanotes so anyway to shorten the keystrokes would be appreciated. =)

LT1$- T5 LIGHT A01
LT2$- MH LIGHT A02
MON$- MOON LIGHT A03
PMP1#- SKIMMER A04
PMP2#- KORALIA1 1&2 A05
PMP3#- KORALIA1 3&4 A06
PMP4#- ATO A07
PMP6#- ATO W/ KALK A12
HT1% - HEATER A08
FAN& - EXTERNAL FAN A09
LT4$ - FUGE LIGHT A10
PMP5# - RETURN PUMP A11



LIGHTS

IF Sun 000/000 Then LT1 ON
IF Sun 060/-045 Then LT2 ON
IF Moon 000/000 Then MON*ON
If Timer LT1 = ON Then MON OFF
If Timer LT2 = ON Then MON OFF

OR

IF Time > 10:00 Then LT1 ON
IF Time > 12:00 Then LT2 ON
IF Time > 18:00 Then LT2 OFF
IF Time > 10:00 Then LT1 OFF
IF Time > 20:00 Then MON ON
IF Time > 00:00 Then MON OFF

HEAT
IF Temp < 78.0 Then HT1 ON
IF Temp < 80.0 Then HT1 OFF
IF Temp < 82.0 Then LT2 OFF
IF Temp < 83.0 Then FAN ON
IF Temp < 84.0 Then LT1 OFF

WAVEMAKER
OSC 120/60 Then PMP2 ON
RND 60/30 Then PMP3 ON
IF Time > 20:00 Then PMP2 OFF
IF Time > 21:00 Then PMP3 OFF
IF Time > 21:00 Then PMP5 OFF

SKIMMER
IF Time > 08:00 Then PMP1 ON
IF Time > 21:00 Then PMP1 OFF

FEED
IF FEED CYCLE Then PMP1 OFF
IF FEED CYCLE Then PMP2 OFF
IF FEED CYCLE Then PMP3 OFF
IF FEED CYCLE Then PMP5 OFF

AUTO TOP OFF
If Time > 06:00 Then PMP6 ON
If Time > 06:01 Then PMP6 OFF
If Time > 09:00 Then PMP4 ON
If Time > 09:01 Then PMP4 OFF
If Time > 12:00 Then PMP4 ON
If Time > 12:01 Then PMP4 OFF
If Time > 18:00 Then PMP4 ON
If Time > 18:01 Then PMP4 OFF
If Time > 00:00 Then PMP4 ON
If Time > 00:01 Then PMP4 OFF

ALARMS
IF PH > 08.50 Then ALM ON
IF PH < 07.80 Then ALM ON
IF Temp < 76.0 Then ALM ON
IF Temp > 84.0 Then ALM ON

 

[Padrino]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14143245#post14143245 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jimmyc
Hi this is my first attempt at programming my ACIII. I dont have aquanotes so anyway to shorten the keystrokes would be appreciated. =)

LT1$- T5 LIGHT A01
LT2$- MH LIGHT A02
MON$- MOON LIGHT A03
PMP1#- SKIMMER A04
PMP2#- KORALIA1 1&2 A05
PMP3#- KORALIA1 3&4 A06
PMP4#- ATO A07
PMP6#- ATO W/ KALK A12
HT1% - HEATER A08
FAN& - EXTERNAL FAN A09
LT4$ - FUGE LIGHT A10
PMP5# - RETURN PUMP A11



LIGHTS

IF Sun 000/000 Then LT1 ON
IF Sun 060/-045 Then LT2 ON
IF Moon 000/000 Then MON*ON
If Timer LT1 = ON Then MON OFF
If Timer LT2 = ON Then MON OFF

OR

IF Time > 10:00 Then LT1 ON
IF Time > 12:00 Then LT2 ON
IF Time > 18:00 Then LT2 OFF
IF Time > 10:00 Then LT1 OFF
IF Time > 20:00 Then MON ON
IF Time > 00:00 Then MON OFF

HEAT
IF Temp < 78.0 Then HT1 ON
IF Temp < 80.0 Then HT1 OFF
IF Temp < 82.0 Then LT2 OFF
IF Temp < 83.0 Then FAN ON
IF Temp < 84.0 Then LT1 OFF

WAVEMAKER
OSC 120/60 Then PMP2 ON
RND 60/30 Then PMP3 ON
IF Time > 20:00 Then PMP2 OFF
IF Time > 21:00 Then PMP3 OFF
IF Time > 21:00 Then PMP5 OFF

SKIMMER
IF Time > 08:00 Then PMP1 ON
IF Time > 21:00 Then PMP1 OFF

FEED
IF FEED CYCLE Then PMP1 OFF
IF FEED CYCLE Then PMP2 OFF
IF FEED CYCLE Then PMP3 OFF
IF FEED CYCLE Then PMP5 OFF

AUTO TOP OFF
If Time > 06:00 Then PMP6 ON
If Time > 06:01 Then PMP6 OFF
If Time > 09:00 Then PMP4 ON
If Time > 09:01 Then PMP4 OFF
If Time > 12:00 Then PMP4 ON
If Time > 12:01 Then PMP4 OFF
If Time > 18:00 Then PMP4 ON
If Time > 18:01 Then PMP4 OFF
If Time > 00:00 Then PMP4 ON
If Time > 00:01 Then PMP4 OFF

ALARMS
IF PH > 08.50 Then ALM ON
IF PH < 07.80 Then ALM ON
IF Temp < 76.0 Then ALM ON
IF Temp > 84.0 Then ALM ON

Jimmy,
to start your lighting will probably want to be on when your home. Having it set for when the sun rises and sets does not work for a lot of people. it changes everyday and most of the time it comes on when your still sleeping and goes off before you get home forom work.Although you can change when it rises and sets (seasonal values) for each day of each month. This can be done though aquanotes lite (free to download or by setting the controller up through the internet and logging into the controller through your web browser. So you may want to use your second lighting choice for now.

as for heat it should probably look like this
HEAT
IF Temp < 78.0 Then HT1 ON
IF Temp > 80.0 Then HT1 OFF
IF Temp > 82.0 Then LT2 OFF
IF Temp > 83.0 Then FAN ON
IF Temp > 84.0 Then LT1 OFF
you might want to put a max change statement in so it gives a little bit of hysterous. Also you do not have a statement that turns your fans off.

Perosnally your skimmer and return should be running 24/7 i would plug this right into the wall or make this the statement
If Time > 00:00 Then SKM ON
If Time > 00:00 Then PMP5 ON

The koralia powerheads are not controlable and you will get chattering as it turns off and on. I would spend some time and rethink your powerhead statements. You may want to set them up so that they run for 6 hours and then they shut off and the other ones come on.

take a look at some of the other programs posted and it will give you some good ideas

hope that helps

 

[jimmyc]

Padrino, thanks for the critque! removing the skimmer from the ACIII also frees up a socket. only thing is I hope I can sleep with the skimmer on 24hrs a day.

 

[Padrino]

you should remove the return pump as well. Why will you not be able to sleep? is it that loud? Can you silence it? what type of skimmer do you have?

 

[altezza]

Here is mine...can someone take a look please? thanks

MH1$-B01
MH2$-B02
HET%-B03
CHL%-B04
PM1#-A01
PM2#-A02
MPM#-A03
SKM&-A04
NL1$-A05
FAN&-A06
NL2$-A07
SMP$-A08
ALM&-A09


If Time > 11:55 Then MH1 ON
If Time > 22:00 Then MH1 OFF
If Time > 11:55 Then MH2 ON
If Time > 22:00 Then MH2 OFF
If Temp < 77.0 Then HET ON
If Temp > 79.0 Then HET OFF
If Time > 00:00 Then PM1 ON
If Time > 00:00 Then PM2 ON
If Time > 00:00 Then MPM ON
If Time > 00:00 Then SKM ON
If Time > 21:59 Then NL1 ON
If Time > 08:00 Then NL1 OFF
If Temp > 79.5 Then FAN ON
If Temp < 77.0 Then FAN OFF
If Time > 21:59 Then NL2 ON
If Time > 08:00 Then NL2 OFF
If Time > 22:00 Then SMP ON
If Time > 04:00 Then SMP OFF
If Power 000 Then ALM ON
If Time > 00:00 Then ALM OFF
If pH > 08.40 Then ALM ON
If pH < 08.00 Then ALM ON
If Temp < 77.0 Then ALM ON
If Temp > 80.0 Then ALM ON
If FeedA 000 Then PM1 OFF
If FeedA 000 Then PM2 OFF
If FeedB 000 Then PM1 OFF
If FeedB 000 Then PM2 OFF

 

[Padrino]

i did not see anything for your chiller. You also may want to look at some of the programs already posted to get some ideas for your own program,
Also you may want to think about starting the metal halide lights like 20 minutes later than the other to ensure that the circuit breaker does not trip since the ballasts draw a lot more power upon ignition.

 

[jimmyc]

I have the acIII on a 10 gallon now while I build my 40 allon breeder. The skimmer I'm buying is gonna be a max. I don't exactly know how loud but just preparing for the worst.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14147269#post14147269 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Padrino
you should remove the return pump as well. Why will you not be able to sleep? is it that loud? Can you silence it? what type of skimmer do you have?

 

[Padrino]

If it is in a stand, it will greatly reduce teh noise. Good luck

 

[serpentman]

Brand new to the AC3 world. So far here is what I got. Any help letting me know what I am doing wrong or could be improved would be appreciated. Thanks.

HT1%-A01 \\Heaters
HT2%-A05 \\Aux heaters
FAN%-A02 \\Canopy Fans
MH1$-A04 \\Metal Halide 1
MH2$-A08 \\Metal Halide 2 & 3
CO2&-A06 \\ CO2
FUG$-A07 \\ Refugium Lights
VHO$-A03 \\VHO Actinics
WV1#-E01 \\ Tunze
WV2#-E04 \\ Tunze
PM1#-B01 \\Kalk Recirc Pump
FN2#-B02 \\Auxillary Sump Fan
RTN#-B05 \\Retrun Pump
KLK%-B07 \\Kalk Doser (ATO)
FRG$-B08 \\Frag MH
DM1$-C01 \\Dummy Timer for aquasurf program
DM2$-C02 \\Dummer Timer for Kalk recirc
ALM&-B03 \\Alarm



If Time > 00:00 Then RTN ON

*LIGHTING*
If Time > 13:00 Then MH1 ON
If Time > 21:00 Then MH1 OFF
If Time > 12:00 Then MH2 ON
If Time > 20:00 Then MH2 OFF
If Time > 22:00 Then VHO OFF
If Time > 11:00 Then VHO ON
If Time > 21:00 Then FUG ON
If Time > 08:00 Then FUG OFF
If Time > 12:00 Then FRG ON
If Time > 20:00 Then FRG OFF

If Time > 15:00 Then DM1 ON
If Time > 18:00 Then DM1 OFF

*CA REACTOR*
If pH2 > 06.80 Then CO2 ON
If pH2 < 06.50 Then CO2 OFF

*TEMP*
If Temp < 78.3 Then HT1 ON
If Temp > 78.8 Then HT1 OFF
If Temp > 79.1 Then FAN ON
If Temp < 78.7 Then FAN OFF
If Temp < 78.0 Then HT2 ON
If Temp > 78.5 Then HT1 OFF
If Temp > 80.5 Then FN2 ON
If Temp < 78.5 Then FN2 OFF

*PUMP PROGRAM #1*
If Timer VHO = ON Then WV1 PF1
If Timer VHO = ON Then WV2 PF2
Pmp MODE sD for PF1
Pmp Int 030/075 for PF1
Pmp OSC 12/12/00 for PF1
Pmp MODE SD for PF2
Pmp Int 030/075 for PF2
Pmp OSC 00/12/12 for PF2

*PUMP PROGRAM #2*
If Timer MH1 = ON Then WV1 PF3
If Timer MH1 = ON Then WV2 PF4
Pmp MODE sD for PF3
Pmp Int 030/085 for PF3
Pmp OSC 11/11/00 for PF3
Pmp MODE SD for PF4
Pmp Int 030/085 for PF4
Pmp OSC 00/11/11 for PF4

*PUMP PROGRAM #3*
If Timer VHO = OFF Then WV1 PF5
If Timer VHO = OFF Then WV2 PF6
Pmp MODE sd for PF5
Pmp Int 030/050 for PF5
Pmp OSC 10/10/00 for PF5
Pmp MODE Sd for PF6
Pmp Int 030/050 for PF6
Pmp OSC 00/10/10 for PF6

*PUMP PROGRAM #4*
If Timer DM1 = ON Then WV1 PF7
If Timer DM1 = ON Then WV2 PF8
Pmp MODE sd for PF7
Pmp Int 030/065 for PF7
Pmp OSC 05/05/00 for PF7
Pmp MODE Sd for PF8
Pmp Int 030/065 for PF8
Pmp OSC 00/05/05 for PF8

*SWITCHES*
If Switch1 CLOSED Then KLK OFF \\Top off
If Switch1 OPEN Then KLK ON
If Switch2 CLOSED Then RTN OFF \\water sensor
If Switch2 OPEN Then RTN ON
If Switch2 CLOSED Then ALM ON

DUMMY Program for Kalk recirc pmp
If Time > 12:05 Then DM2 ON
If Time > 12:10 Then DM2 OFF
If Time > 23:05 Then DM2 ON
If Time > 23:10 Then DM2 OFF
If timer DM2 = ON Then PM1 ON

*ALARMS*
If time > 00:00 Then ALM OFF
If temp > 83.0 then ALM ON
If temp < 76.0 then ALM ON

 

[intenseimage]

I just added lines for a Kalk Drip - I want this to run when the lights are off and turn off should the pH go above 8.35

Is the placement of the code in the line correct as well as the code itself? Does it need a low end range ... like if pH is < X then KAL ON? or not in a situation like this

If Time > 00:00 Then ALM OFF
If Time > 09:59 Then ACT ON
If Time > 21:59 Then ACT OFF
If Time > 12:59 Then HAL ON
If Time > 17:59 Then HAL OFF
If Time > 00:00 Then LED ON
If Time > 00:00 Then FUG ON
If Time > 00:00 Then ATO ON
If Time > 00:00 Then RET ON
If Time > 00:00 Then VOR ON
If Time > 00:00 Then SKM ON
If Time > 00:00 Then REA ON
If Time > 21:59 Then KAL ON
If Time > 09:59 Then KAL OFF
If Time > 00:00 Then NET ON
If Temp < 78.0 Then HET ON
If Temp < 75.0 Then HET OFF
If Temp > 79.5 Then HET OFF
If Temp > 79.5 Then FAN ON
If Temp < 78.5 Then FAN OFF
If Temp > 82.9 Then HAL OFF
Max Change 030 M Then HAL OFF
If Temp < 77.0 Then ALM ON
If Temp > 82.9 Then ALM ON
If pH > 8.35 Then KAL OFF
If FeedA 000 Then RET OFF
If FeedA 000 Then VOR OFF
If FeedA 000 Then SKM OFF
If FeedA 000 Then REA OFF
If FeedA 000 Then FUG OFF
If FeedC 000 Then SKM OFF
If FeedC 000 Then RET OFF
If FeedC 000 Then VOR OFF
If FeedC 000 Then REA OFF
If FeedC 000 Then FUG OFF

 

[altezza]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14165703#post14165703 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Padrino
i did not see anything for your chiller. You also may want to look at some of the programs already posted to get some ideas for your own program,
Also you may want to think about starting the metal halide lights like 20 minutes later than the other to ensure that the circuit breaker does not trip since the ballasts draw a lot more power upon ignition.

ahhh i see...thank you for your help

 

[edandsandy]

If I want to do mainteance on the tank, and I want all my pumps off, how do I make this work?

here is a list of equipment & DC's

A DC 4
HL1$-A01 METAL HALIDES LEFT 1
HL2$-A02 METAL HALIDES LEFT 2
T5L$-A03 T5’S LEFT
FNL&-A04 FANS LEFT

B DC 4
HR1$-B01 METAL HALIDES RIGHT 1
HR2$-B02 METAL HALIDES RIGHT 2
T5R$-B03 T5’S RIGHT
FNR&-B04 FANS RIGHT

C DC 8
RTL#-C01 RETURN PUMP SNAPPER LEFT
C02
HEL%-C03 HEATER LEFT
FUG$-C04 REFUGIUM LIGHT LEFT
C05

D DC8
RTR#-D01 RETURN PUMP SNAPPER RIGHT
FUG$-D02 REFUGIUM LIGHT RIGHT
HER%-D03 HEATER RIGHT

 

[Padrino]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14192922#post14192922 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by edandsandy
If I want to do mainteance on the tank, and I want all my pumps off, how do I make this work?

here is a list of equipment & DC's

A DC 4
HL1$-A01 METAL HALIDES LEFT 1
HL2$-A02 METAL HALIDES LEFT 2
T5L$-A03 T5’S LEFT
FNL&-A04 FANS LEFT

B DC 4
HR1$-B01 METAL HALIDES RIGHT 1
HR2$-B02 METAL HALIDES RIGHT 2
T5R$-B03 T5’S RIGHT
FNR&-B04 FANS RIGHT

C DC 8
RTL#-C01 RETURN PUMP SNAPPER LEFT
C02
HEL%-C03 HEATER LEFT
FUG$-C04 REFUGIUM LIGHT LEFT
C05

D DC8
RTR#-D01 RETURN PUMP SNAPPER RIGHT
FUG$-D02 REFUGIUM LIGHT RIGHT
HER%-D03 HEATER RIGHT

use a feed command so set feed "C" to stop all pumps for say 60 minutes. You would use the following:

If FeedC 060 Then RTR OFF
If FeedC 060 Then RTL OFF

 

[edandsandy]

Thanks it worked!

 

[Padrino]

no problem

 

[jnb]

LTB$-A01 larger tank blue T-5s
LTW$-A02 large tank white t-5s
STB&-A03 small tank blue t-5s
STW$-A05 small tank white t-5s
NTE%-A06 moon night light
HTT&-A07 one heater the other is controlled by a ranco
FGE%-A08 power head and fuge light in sump
SOL%-A09 turns on solonoid to top off RODI tank
SFN%-A10 sump fan
ALM%-B01 just an alarm
AIR%-B02 small cloth-bladed fans to swish hot hair from under main lights
ATO%-B03 ATO
FLT%-B04 sump light I can turn on to observse sump water levels and skimmer, etc thru web cam


I set my tank clock so lights are on my schedule

If Sun -030/035 Then LTB ON
If Temp > 83.9 Then LTB OFF
Max Change 120 M Then LTB OFF
If Sun -020/000 Then LTW ON
If Temp > 83.7 Then LTW OFF
Max Change 120 M Then LTW OFF
If Sun -031/040 Then STB ON
If Temp > 84.0 Then STB OFF
Max Change 120 M Then STB OFF
If Sun -020/-020 Then STW ON
If Temp > 84.0 Then STW OFF
Max Change 120 M Then STW OFF
If Temp > 79.8 Then AIR ON
If Temp < 79.0 Then AIR OFF
If Sun -128/127 Then NTE ON
If Timer LTW = ON Then NTE OFF
If Temp > 82.5 Then SFN ON
If Temp < 81.0 Then SFN OFF
If Sun 000/030 Then FGE ON
If Temp < 77.5 Then HTT ON
If Temp > 78.0 Then HTT OFF
If Temp < 70.0 Then HTT OFF
If Time > 05:00 Then SOL ON
If Time > 06:05 Then SOL OFF
If Temp < 77.0 Then ALM ON
If Temp > 83.0 Then ALM ON
OSC 001/240 ON/OFF Then ALM ON every 2 hrs I get a status email
OSC 001/240 ON/OFF Then ATO ON every 2 hrs my ato comes on for a minute
If Time > 00:00 Then FLT OFF sump light for observing remotely thru webcam I can turn on/off remotely

 

[edandsandy]

^ to the top, this is a great thread

 

[Sinistard]

I got my AC3 a few days ago and am just now getting around to programing it. Does everything I did look ok? Think I need any other back ups?

Also I did a bit of searching but did not notice, can you hook 2 250 MHs up to one outlet on a DC8 or would I need an expansion box? Also Can you hook multiple Heaters to one outlet (600watts total) or would this also take an expansion?

Thanks for any help

MH1$-A01 : Metal Halides Lights on Channel A01
FGE$-A02 : Fuge Light on Channel A02
FRG$-A03 : Frag Tank Light on Channel A03
FAN%-A04 : Cooling Fans on Channel A04
HET%-A05 : Heaters on Channel A05
CLP#-A06 : Closed Loop Pump on A06
PM1#-A07 : Return Pump on Channel A07
PM2#-A08 : Frag Tank Pumps on Channel A08
ALM&-A09 : Alarm on Channel A09


If Time > 00:00 Then PM1 ON
If Time > 00:00 Then PM2 ON
If Time > 00:00 Then CLP ON
If Time > 00:00 Then ALM OFF


If Time > 10:00 Then MH1 ON
If Time > 20:00 Then MH1 OFF
If Power 020 Then MH1 OFF
If Time > 22:00 Then FGE ON
If Time > 07:00 Then FGE OFF
If Power 002 Then FGE OFF
If Time > 07:00 Then FRG ON
If Time > 17:00 Then FRG OFF
If Power 020 Then FRG OFF


If Temp < 76.9 Then HET ON
If Temp > 77.0 Then HET OFF
If Temp > 77.1 Then FAN ON
If Temp < 77.0 Then FAN OFF
If Temp > 81.0 Then MH1 OFF
Max Change 020 M Then MH1 OFF
If Temp > 81.0 Then FRG OFF
Max Change 020 M Then FRG OFF
If Temp < 76.0 Then ALM ON
If Temp < 75.0 Then HET OFF
If Temp > 82.5 Then ALM ON


If pH > 08.50 Then ALM ON
If pH < 08.00 Then ALM ON
If ORP > 450 Then ALM ON
If ORP < 300 Then ALM ON


If FeedA 000 Then PM1 OFF
If FeedA 000 Then CLP OFF

If FeedB 000 Then PM2 OFF

If FeedC 000 Then PM1 OFF
If FeedC 000 Then PM2 OFF
If FeedC 000 Then CLP OFF


If Power 005 Then FAN OFF
If Power 005 Then HET OFF
If Power 005 Then PM1 OFF
If Power 005 Then PM2 OFF

 

[Padrino]

The answer to your question really depends on how handy you are.You can hook up more than one heater to one socket but you would need the socket expansions which are really a waste of money.if you are going to buy two, you would be better off buying a DC4 or another DC8 for what its worth. This would also leave you room to upgrade and make changes. Now if you want to hook say two heaters to one plug you could wire a plug to the socket in your dc8 then from that plug you wire 2 sockets. I did this in my build thread. I made a complete electrical panel for this stuff. Check it out by clicking the red house. Or you could use a small extention cord that has 2 or 3 sockets. Its really a simple solution.. Here are some pics of what i did.

Then i decided that i wanted to be able to access the AC3 without opening the panel all the time so i reversed the controller and cut a nice hole and put a frame on the front.