Hanging a Ceiling Light With A Bum Ceiling

[nosferatu51]

I have a ceiling hanging fixture from Aquamedic. Today, while trying to install it, I discovered that my apartment complex has some sort of metal sheet running just about a 1/4" above the sheet rock in the ceiling. The studs are simply in places that will not work and because of the metal sheet, I don't have enough room to get a toggle bolt up there to brace the screws. The unit doesn't weigh that much (can't be more than 15lbs), but I can't think of a way to hang it now. Any ideas?

 

[lakee911]

You can get some fasteners that screw into the drywall only. Or you can use some sheet metal screws in the sheet metal, but it might be an HVAC duct.

Jason

 

[nosferatu51]

I've got some of those plastic things that screws can go into, but I don't really trust those. Is that what you meant by the fasteners?
Yeah, I was thinking screwing into the metal might be a bad idea so was kind of counting that out.
I was thinking if worst came to worst I could use 2 L-braces and create something that comes out of the studs in the wall, but that's more work and not quite as nice looking so I would like to avoid having to do that.
Anyway, what do you mean by the fasteners? Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated too.

 

[Tasher80]

They have wall anchors that are made of metal or plastic. They are about 3/4" wide. They look like really large screws with course threads. You screw them to the drywall. They have a hollow center with threads to allow a screw to hold into it. They are rated at about 35 lbs. They might work for you.

 

[spence15610]

You could mount a finished 1x4 that is the length of the tank to the ceiling using the studs to secure it, then mount your light hooks to that where you need them to be, I helped a friend of mine do that and it looked real nice

 

[bbeck4x4]

drill through the sheetmetal. ? then install the toggle bolt, or ask the manager about hanging some plants and you are having trouble and see what they say?

Brian

 

[rcmike]

I hung my lights from the wall with some plant hangers from lowes. Looks pretty good and is plenty sturdy. Might be an option if your tank is next to a wall.

 

[Lee1]

Get some toggle bolts from your local Home Depot/Lowes/hardware store.

http://www.factsfacts.com/MyHomeRepair/drywallfasteners.htm

Not sure what the metal is above your sheetrock, but I wouldn't drill through it.

Lee

 

[theatrus]

Metal may also be part of a firewall system.

If I was you I'd just slap some sheet metal screws into that

 

[nosferatu51]

Ended up just installing a shelf with some L-brackets to the studs in the wall and hung the light from that. It seemed like it was the best idea as far as running no risks. Thanks for the help.

 

[75reef]

Yes, that's what I did also. Works great.