10k with atinics to 12k without?

[fio1022]

I'm going to be upgrading my lighting in the near future.
I'm currently using a CustomSealife fixture with (2)175watt 10k mh bulbs and (2) 65 watt atinics.
I'm in the process of building a new canopy in which there will be 2 luminarc reflectors.Not much room for anything else.
I'm planning on using (2)250 12k watt mh without any atinics
Aside from uping the wattage,will there be a big difference in color
10k with atinics to 12k without?
Thanks

[aclos3]

It is impossible to know that. There are 10k bulbs that are very yellow, and 10ks that are a lot more blue. The same applies to 12k. I'm sure we could come up with many examples of 10ks that are more blue than certain 12ks and visa versa.

What kind of 10ks are you using now? Others that are more familiar with the actual colors of 12k and the 10k bulbs you are running will be able to tell you how each 12k will look in comparison to your 10ks.

Also, the ballast type will affect how a certain bulb burns. I have 14k hamiltons on an EVC e-ballast. They appear a bit more white than if they were run on icecaps, which would burn them more blue.

[gabe3d]

Are you considering the Reeflux 10k and 12k? If so then i'd stay away from the 12k, it is not so nice and kinda dim IMO. If you want something bluer then maybe take a look at the Hamilton 14k. It is my favorite standalone bulb, but truth of the matter is that corals will glow and pop more with actinic supplement (VHO, T5 or PC not in any particular order). I ran the Reeflux 10k alone for a while but i missed the crisp blue look so i recently added some T5 supplements and I'm in love with the overall looks. You can see some pics my redhouse in the 210 section. I run SE bulbs on Icecap 250 in lumenarcs reflectors.