Light hanging help?

atp0726 · Mar 3, 2012

I have a new light in the mail along with the hanging kit (Ecotech Radion) and I have never suspended a light from the ceiling. Anyone have any tips to make this process as seamless as possible. I am sure I will probably have to anchor the lights into the drywall and to be honest I have never had great luck with any kink of drywall anchor systems. Is there a good anchoring system out there?

Also, what is the easiest way to center the light over the tank? I would rather this not turn into a learn as I go project and end up with multiple holes in my ceiling.

bluwinghawk · Mar 3, 2012

you can use blue painters tape to mark center lines and were you think joist are and they should run front to back of house and if you take a flash lite and shine it along ceiling most of the time you can see nail scews spots on cieling small shadow circles ive used the drill/toggle type anchors ( metal) @ home depot or loews hope this helps

revhtree · Mar 3, 2012

My friend actually hung a shelf over his tank and suspended lights from it. This is an option if your tank is not to wide.

revhtree · Mar 3, 2012

Also there are a couple companies that sell metal racks that will attach to the back of your tank and extend over for you to hang the lights from.

atp0726 · Mar 3, 2012

revhtree said:
Also there are a couple companies that sell metal racks that will attach to the back of your tank and extend over for you to hang the lights from.

I did look into doing something with shelf supports however, I really like the hanging from the ceiling look. The light is a Radion so no matter what I do it is not going to line up with the joist being 16 inches apart. Is it a bad idea to find some decent drywall anchors for this application? I see alot of tanks with this same light suspended from the ceiling there must be a way to do it.

bluwinghawk · Mar 4, 2012

i just looked up premium hanging kit instruction is this what you are trying to do? whats the weight on light? will you be moving it up an down are leveing it alone? with out removing sheetrock and putting a backer in place the only option i can come up with is the proper weight toggle bolts match the screw size to the mounting sleeves/washer and see if the package will cover the weight?

Dr.Venkman · Mar 4, 2012

Is this a ceiling that you will have access to from the attic, or a space between levels in your house? How many units will you be hanging? Just the lights or will it be some sort of floating canopy? Toggle bolts/fasteners they sell at Lowes/HD can be rated for surprisingly heavy loads even in drywall. I used a inexpensive laser level to project the tank footprint on the ceiling. Personally I over-did my anchor points load wise, but if I add weight later I'm still good. Throw out some more details for us.

boxer · Mar 4, 2012

you can also use a plumb bob to mark the holes!!!!

atp0726 · Mar 4, 2012

Thank you everyone for the help!

I went to HD and purchased some toggle bolts and a laser level to outline the tank on the ceiling. The light is 3.2 lbs and I think the toggle bolts should be sufficient. I will be hanging just one Radion with the premium hanging kit, which after reviewing the instruction it seems pretty simple, they even give you a template showing exactly where the holes need to be drilled.