How to Hang a Light (Question)

R

Razor Blade

New member
I am the least qualified DIY/Handyman person I know. :spin3:

I can find no instructions online on the suspension/hanging kits for LED's. I have a MaxSpect Razor 120w (20" model) that I am wanting to hang. As it stands right now. I have two holes in my ceiling that my first attempt did not go so well... One of the supplied anchors came right out, and the other while tapping in the last few strokes to get it flush basically fell apart.

I am so frustrated right now! Can anyone help me? I am headed to the hardware store (today hopefully) to get any supplies I need (new anchors of some sort/better quality).

HELP!!!
 
Do you have access to an attic above the tank? If so, take a broom handle and span the rafters( or use a 2x4 and screw into that), drop your cables through the holes, go back downstairs and hang your light...make sure you cover your cieling holes with something decorative though
 
Unfortunately i live in a lowrise condo (no attic)

I can't be sure there is any support above where i am mounting it. The light itself is maybe ~4 lbs so luckily not heavy, but the anchors it came with looks pretty scrimpy.

I am renting as well, so those huge metal butterfly anchors are a no-go.

Sorry, i should have mentioned that in the first post ;) thanks for the reply.
 
DO NOT USE DRY WALL ANCHORS!

The last think you want is your lights falling into your tank still energized. If you were using MHs quick immersion in water might have some other bad consequences.

I just had to do this with two MH pendants and I also live in a condo. Assuming your rafters run perpendicular to your tank use a stud finder to find them and drill a small hole into them through the dry wall and screw your suspension wires into those holes.

If your rafters don't miraculously line up where you need them and it is a finished floor overhead so you can't access the rafters from above (as I imagine your is being a condo) do what I did.

1.) buy a piece of decorative trim from the hardware store that matches your decor, try to get something with a bit of body to it. I used a head rail about 1" thick with rounded edges.

2.) Cut it to the length of your tank or to where it will reach at least two rafters, more if what your hanging is particularly heavy.

3.) Drill guide holes through the rail and then through the same holes through the dry wall into the rafters, screw rail into rafters via guide holes.

4.) Suspend your lighting from rail.

5.) Paint rail color of ceiling.

If your rafters run parallel to the tank do the same thing but put up two rails perpendicular to your tank lined up to where you need to align the lights.

I had this idea AFTER I did the above was instead of a chair rail buy a length of modular track lighting rail and mount it in the same way, EXCEPT have enough off to one side of the tank for the length of your lighting fixture. Guy some of the sliding lights that go with the the track trail and remove the light but keep the anchor that secures to the rail. Mount your suspension wires to these anchors. Now you can slide your lighting fixture to the side away from your tank whenever you need to work in the tank.

I can't do the above because there is a heating duct and fire sprinkler pipe on either side my tank getting in the way, but my next place....
 
Razor Blade said:
I am the least qualified DIY/Handyman person I know. :spin3:

I can find no instructions online on the suspension/hanging kits for LED's. I have a MaxSpect Razor 120w (20" model) that I am wanting to hang. As it stands right now. I have two holes in my ceiling that my first attempt did not go so well... One of the supplied anchors came right out, and the other while tapping in the last few strokes to get it flush basically fell apart.

I am so frustrated right now! Can anyone help me? I am headed to the hardware store (today hopefully) to get any supplies I need (new anchors of some sort/better quality).

HELP!!!
Click to expand...
That fixture must be pretty light. Pretty much any drywall anchor will work. However two issues seem to have plagued your installation. One, the anchor pulled out and two, it sounds like the other anchor hit some structural member and that's why it shattered/broke.

It may be best to locate new anchor points to either side of the existing and patch those holes. You probably don't have to move much more than an inch or two in one direction. The use molly screws or toggle bolts. The guy at the hardware store will know what they are. The only thing that is critical is the thickness of the surface you are penetrating. Since you live in a multiple family, you can assume it's at least 5/8" and possibly two layers of 1/2" sheetrock. The local hardware person may know what you need if others in your building/development have been there for similar reasons.
 
crown bolts work best

mollies are lame

the crown bolts in the link are small so all you would need to do is take med. size screw driver and push it through the drywall in the ceiling (after you've marked of course) and then widen it out a bit then push the crown bolt through. If you worried about patching just buy a tiny tub of spackle paste and fill the holes made in error.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/cat...=None&Ntpr=1&Ntpc=1&selectedCatgry=Search+All
 
reeftivo said:
crown bolts work best

mollies are lame

the crown bolts in the link are small so all you would need to do is take med. size screw driver and push it through the drywall in the ceiling (after you've marked of course) and then widen it out a bit then push the crown bolt through. If you worried about patching just buy a tiny tub of spackle paste and fill the holes made in error.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/cat...=None&Ntpr=1&Ntpc=1&selectedCatgry=Search+All
Click to expand...
LOL well I gave him that option. They're called toggle bolts. It's all good :beer:
 
Thanks for the responses guys!

I think i'll go the toggle bolt route. I just watched a few videos on Youtube regarding installation, and it seems easy enough actually.

Thanks a ton! Hopefully this thread may help someone else in the future, so if anyone else has other ideas suggestions, it may work for someone else having the same issues I did! :)
 
Razor,

You will be fine with toggle bolts. and I think you mad a wise choice then if you ever move its fairly easy to patch with a little spackling or plaster.

Mark
 
AI Hanging Kit

AI Hanging Kit

Mark Bianco said:
Patroklos,

Please read the following link below. Some drywall anchors can hold up to 100lbs. That being said I am not sure how much the op fixture weighs, but I have yet to see a fixture that weighs over a 100lbs.

http://www.aconcordcarpenter.com/2010/09/drywall-anchors.html
Click to expand...

Thanks for this article, seems like the toggle bolt is the way to go. I'm hanging up three AI Hydra's tomorrow via their hanging kit and was wondering if my drywall could hold it. According to the article I'll be fine.

How did the toggle work out for those who used it to hang something?
 
this is some great info. I had to put a 2x4 and bent conduit above my tank because of the hole in my ceiling. But when I move, I now know what to do
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

kharmaguru
  • Sticky
How to update Euroquatics A1/A1P
7 8 9
Replies
162
Views
3K
griss
griss
V
[Edit: Its active - got a response] Is Coralux.net still active?
Replies
2
Views
391
Reefing102
Reefing102
ReefGoatfish
Acclimating SPS to a new light (radion gen3 to 6 pro)
Replies
1
Views
365
Reefing102
Reefing102
NancyT3
Just looking for a shoulder to cry on -- Velvet....
Replies
5
Views
613
monkeysee1
monkeysee1
Paul B
Think like a fish
Replies
1
Views
242
Vinny Kreyling
Vinny Kreyling
Back
Top