Hi Jason,

Please note that MH produce a lot of light, so be careful using it on a small tank... Also as you note the spread will still be more tightly focused than other lights. MH works well IMO for deeper tanks, not as well for longer ones as you stated. That is definitely true. If you hang too high you will lose a lot of light to the room in general and not hit the tank.

My experience is with a 24" 6' 180 gallon and I have 3X150w 6500k bulbs.

Works well for me as I try to use the shadows that occur in the spacing between the lights......Many fish like it there.......Also works well for plants that like the shade.

I started out with 14k bulbs and had excellent growth, but switched as the light was too blue for me and was very bright. I like the 6500k much better........I would assume 10k work well but might be a bluer tint as were the 14k.

Ripple effects with MH are very nice.....

Please hang so you can have the most adjustment possible. I have mine mounted 10" above the water, and can adjust from 3" to about 15".

Good luck. Nice looking fixture.