Hanging a lighting fixture

[choss]

I have just hung a 24" Giesemann MH/T5 lighting fixture from my drywall ceiling, using two 3" long, 3/16" diameter toggle bolts. I believe each bolt is rated to hold 150 lbs and my fixture weighs 25. Unfortunately I wasn't able to hang the fixture using the studs (and the ceiling is unaccessible from above) so using these bolts seemed like the best solution.

Any thoughts on whether this solution is safe? My only other option is to add some sort or decorative "beam" that I secure to the studs and then mount the lighting fixture to. I'd prefer not to do this both visually and because my tank is already in place and accessing the ceiling properly isn't that easy.

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

You may want to invest in some drywall anchors or ceiling specific anchors if you can't get into a stud.

 

[choss]

I believe toggle bolts are ceiling specific anchors. They have wings that open behind the wall making them more stable than traditional anchors that sumply screw into the wall. They look like this

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

I believe toggle bolts are ceiling specific anchors. They have wings that open behind the wall making them more stable than traditional anchors that sumply screw into the wall. They look like this

View attachment 605147

That's what I was talking about, the metal one's have always been more reliable for me when I have used them in the past. I've helped my grandmother install some before for flower pots and they've held up pretty well over the years.

I would just keep an eye on them from time to time to make sure they aren't wiggling and causing the integrity of the drywall around them to break apart. If your fixture stays still and nothing like a cat sits on top of it, you should be fine.

 

[choss]

That's what I was talking about, the metal one's have always been more reliable for me when I have used them in the past. I've helped my grandmother install some before for flower pots and they've held up pretty well over the years.

I would just keep an eye on them from time to time to make sure they aren't wiggling and causing the integrity of the drywall around them to break apart. If your fixture stays still and nothing like a cat sits on top of it, you should be fine.

No cats planned!

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

No cats planned!

Good luck! Be sure to post some updates in a build thread!

 

[choss]

Will do! Build thread is here https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/choss-96-gallon-reef-savvy-nano-tank.313402/ - right now working on plumbing but also making sure everything is solid before adding water.