If you've got a 4x8 that's only 4' tall, you'll probabley need more than one source of light- I'm thinking two hps400 or even two hps600. In tems of square footage, you could get away w/ one 600 maybe,, for a while- but you'd regret it .
A 1k is nice for 32sq', but it'd be weak as hell out by the ends- bad shape for one light, and you don't have any height to spread the footprint.
If I were building it- two air-cooled 600's, run so that the bulb is paralell to the short wall. This allows best dispersal pattern and shortest duct runs. Ya might as well use hard duct and just strap 'em to the ceiling- you're gonna need every inch of those 48. Remember, refector will be at least 8" deep, so you've really got 40" to the ceiling, then media... A 3g squat's like 10" deep, so now you're at 30" of actual grow space...

Kinda tight. No way you're getting away with one fixture and a lightmover. In fact, I'd pass on hooks and chains- get some L-brackets, some sheet metal screws, and some wood screws, and just mount the refectors on the ceiling.

400hps would be a little less bang, but a bit less heat...



T-5 floros are another option, though I think you're looking at almost twice the cash to get the same intensity- truely awesome dispersal if you just lined the box w/ like 4 8-bulb units, but pricey. The t-5's don't toss the kinda heat that an HID does, though, so by not buying fans,ductwork, a/c reflectors, it might not price out too differant. You'd really,IMO, need to pretty much line the box, but I've seen people do remarkabley well w/ them.
rhizome Reviewed by rhizome on . do i have enough light will a 4 foot florecent light with 2 40 Watt bulbs, on bulb is a growing bulb and the other is a kitchen bath light with 40 watts, support 4 plants that are 3 inches away from the top? Rating: 5