How to light this tank?

Here's the problem, tank is older cube 13.5"L x 13.5"W x 20"H. The wife wants this tank for the living room and doesn't want the light fixture to over hang the edges of the tank!

What I'm thinking is 70 watt MH Pendent
70W Metal Halide Pendant Lights

Or 150 watt MH Pendent
150W Metal Halide Pendant Lights

The only experience I have with such a small tank is a 12 gallon acrylic cube with a mantis shrimp, low light requirements. Which light should I go with I'm thinking the 150 because of the height of the tank or will it be ok with the 70.

 

depends, r u going to be putting corals and other things that are going to need alot of light?

 

I have the same tank

Im currently using the same tank in my living room. Now I don't know why you wouldn't want to be able to hang it or anything. I used conduit by mounting it to the back of the tank stand. It work great and I sprayed it black and it looks great. Now my light a 150w Metal Halide Pendant with a 14k Phoneix bulb. It looks amazing and is about 7 inches above the tank with a screen top. My temps are 78 at night and 80-81 during the day. I had it directly almost on the top of the tank and it started heating the tank. So I would go with the 70w MH if your not going to hang it. Problem is if your going to have more than softies, the 70w probably won't do it justice as the tank is so high, but than you won't have tank temps rising. I def. would not be putting an acrylic top on it with MH's as it will roast the tank than.

I love my 20 Gallon Hex. I have 2 mated pair of true perc clowns, bunch of hermits and snails. Also have some different corals in it and everythings been doing great since my setup about a month and half ago.

The Camera I have makes that light look extremly bright compared to what it really is, it looks great in the tank and my corals love it

Thanks
Conrad

 

I can post a newer picture of the tank with corals in it tonight if your interested. I put some frags in it about 2 weeks ago, stuff it getting bigger already and I know it will fill the tank up well once it all stretches out more and a few more additions are added

 

Hanging a pendent is not a problem, what she doesn't want is a light that is longer than the width of the tank. Hence the metal halides, what bulb are you running on your hex 10K, 14K, 20K ? And yes I'd like to see a recent pic.

As far as what she wants in it all she's told me is a couple Fire Fish, and a couple small Gobbies, Scarlet and Decorator Crab. Beyond that I have to wait while she decides. Wives make planning a tank so much fun, but then there aggravation does keep us alive doesn't it.LOL

 

I would go with the 150. It will give you more future options that the 70 wont. Who knows the wife my get her eye set on an anemone or some higher light coral.