A 8 foot streach of lights is at least enough lumens to veg 3 plants but most of the light will be wasted due to that 3 plants may take up 4 feet. So my suggestion is to go to a home depot and buy 2 cheap $10 duel 4 foot fixtures and 4, 4foot bulbs. and place the 2 fixtures next to eachother and put your 3 plants under these 4 bulbs. Get the cool white for vegging and the warm light variety for flowering.

to tell the truth the best is HPS...