Please explain 10000K, does that mean white?

[mojojones]

Please explain 10000K, does that mean white? I have two 55 watt power compact bulbe, they are stmped as 55W 10000K/Actinic, does this mean they are white and actinic, or is the bulb Actinic with a rating of 10000K, I have no way of testing them, but they were installed on a fixture with a 2x 36W ballast I bought from a guy who had no idea why the bulbs were out. I opened up the case to finds a 2x 36w ballast, and figure he bought the wrong bulbs. It will actually be cheaper for me to replace the ballast with a 2 x 55W ballst and use these bulbs rather than buying two 36w bulbs, but I need to know if the 55w bulbs in my posession are combo white/actinic or not. Someone please help befor I buy the wrong thing. Thanks.

[mojojones]

I know it's Kelvin, but I just need to know if these lights are combo white/actinic. Anybody?

[charlie]

A 10K bulb is usually a really crisp white.

[Ninong]

Please explain 10000K, does that mean white?

Yes.

I have two 55 watt power compact bulbe, they are stmped as 55W 10000K/Actinic, does this mean they are white and actinic...

Yes.

...or is the bulb Actinic with a rating of 10000K...

No. One side is 10,000K and the other side is actinic.

I need to know if the 55w bulbs in my posession are combo white/actinic or not.

They are combo.

[mojojones]

Thanks Ninong, you really helped me out. Have a wonderful day!