Great... drywall anchors failed.

[Jake_the_reefer]

This sucks I'm at work and the drywall anchors holding up the light for my 10g failed and the light fell into the tank fiance says it still works but isnt sure if the tank cracked. Now I have to figure out a way to hang the light over the tank..

 

[smartwater101]

That sucks! Sorry to hear. Might be a good idea to hang something like a shelf and then hang the light from that. That way the shelf can be bolted to the 2x4 studs and you wont have to rely on the drywall itself.

 

[Halal Hotdog]

There are multiple type of anchors. I have 3 165w black boxes, all hanging with a single anchor each. The anchors are rated for 50lbs. They have been going strong for 3 years. Your light appears to be half the size, with the correct anchor you will be fine.

 

[ADAM]

The Sheetrock in my house is probably made the same day as yours! The regular wall anchors have never worked for me, however I use them all the time at work mounting HVAC controls inside homes and don’t usually ever have an issue.

For the hanging your light I would use a metal butterfly bolt anchor. They have a spring loaded clip on the back that pops open when you push it through to the backside of the sheetrock. These will hold far better than regular anchors when you cannot screw directly into a stud. I had to use them on one of my wall brackets for my tank and don’t have any worries about it.

 

[Kingsley_Reef]

Get togglers man!!!;)

 

[ADAM]

Walmart, Lowe’s, Home Depot, Dollar General about anywhere that sells hardware should have them.

 

[SliceGolfer]

Alternative option: get two appropriate lengths of 1” conduit, bend a 90 degree angle in each, drill holes for hanging the light, and bolt conduit to your stand/cabinet/table. Spray paint the conduit black for a clean look.

 

[puffy127]

Walmart, Lowe’s, Home Depot, Dollar General about anywhere that sells hardware should have them.

Yes, toggle bolts work well.

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

It's a bit late. The damage is too much light to put anything in the wall.

 

[reefwiser]

Not a fan of holding lights with toggle bolts.
As a maintenance man I always had to hang many different heavy items.
Best to screw into the 2x4 if possible.
I would use this type when I couldn’t
Your friend has shared a link to a Home Depot product they think you would be interested in seeing.

Stud Solver #7 x 1-1/4 in. Alloy Flat-Head Self-Drilling Drywall Anchors with Screws (2-Pack)

E-Z Ancor Stud Solver #7 x 1-1/4 in. Alloy Flat-Head Self-Drilling Drywall Anchors with Screws (2-Pack) 25416 - The Home Depot

E-Z Ancor Stud Solver Anchors install anywhere on a wall, even if you hit a wood stud behind the drywall. They feature a piercing tip capable of penetrating wood to help ensure the ideal anchor spot. Install with only a #2 Phillips screwdriver (not included) and #7 x 1-1/4 in. screw (included)...

www.homedepot.com

 

[smartwater101]

Not a fan of holding lights with toggle bolts.
As a maintenance man I always had to hang many different heavy items.
Best to screw into the 2x4 if possible.
I would use this type when I couldn’t
Your friend has shared a link to a Home Depot product they think you would be interested in seeing.

Stud Solver #7 x 1-1/4 in. Alloy Flat-Head Self-Drilling Drywall Anchors with Screws (2-Pack)

E-Z Ancor Stud Solver #7 x 1-1/4 in. Alloy Flat-Head Self-Drilling Drywall Anchors with Screws (2-Pack) 25416 - The Home Depot

E-Z Ancor Stud Solver Anchors install anywhere on a wall, even if you hit a wood stud behind the drywall. They feature a piercing tip capable of penetrating wood to help ensure the ideal anchor spot. Install with only a #2 Phillips screwdriver (not included) and #7 x 1-1/4 in. screw (included)...

www.homedepot.com

I wonder if the drywall is actually plaster. If I use those self-drilling anchors, they crumble right out of the wall :( Big toggle bolts was all i could figure out for my lights. The ceiling seems to be made of the same crumbly plaster. I bolted the t-slot in 4 different places. Hoping the wight is better distributed since the lights are not directly in the ceiling. Had some heavy Orphiks up there for a week or two... seemed fine. Not sure about long term though...

ignore that extra piece of t-slot. That was just a test lol

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Holly cow man, so sorry. I would totally freak out. Hope all is well and quick fix.

 

[smartwater101]

It's a bit late. The damage is too much light to put anything in the wall.

You could always do something like this instead of a shelf. As long as you use the studs this time, I think it will hold just fine.

 

[Jay Z]

Worse come to worse you could cut the dry wall out and add a stringer inside then put it back together. I’ve done that on 2 tv I have.

 

[reefwiser]

How old is the home? They switched to dry wall in the 60’s even on the ceilings. Plaster would have wooden lathe behind the plaster. Which would be better as you would be going into wood.
The issue I had with toggle bolts on dry wall is that they would tear into the back of the drywall from movement so over time they created a weak spot and then would break thru.

 

[smartwater101]

How old is the home? They switched to dry wall in the 60’s even on the ceilings. Plaster would have wooden lathe behind the plaster. Which would be better as you would be going into wood.
The issue I had with toggle bolts on dry wall is that they would tear into the back of the drywall from movement so over time they created a weak spot and then would break thru.

Its an appartment building, built in '69 if i remember correctly. I know half the walls in bedrooms are drywall (not sure about ceilings) but whatever is going on i the living room/kitchen/closets, is the most crumbly crap ever.

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

How old is the home? They switched to dry wall in the 60’s even on the ceilings. Plaster would have wooden lathe behind the plaster. Which would be better as you would be going into wood.
The issue I had with toggle bolts on dry wall is that they would tear into the back of the drywall from movement so over time they created a weak spot and then would break thru.

This home was made 2018 lol

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

I am going with the conduit method. I'm pretty happy with what I have so far..

 

[smartwater101]

The Sheetrock in my house is probably made the same day as yours! The regular wall anchors have never worked for me, however I use them all the time at work mounting HVAC controls inside homes and don’t usually ever have an issue.

For the hanging your light I would use a metal butterfly bolt anchor. They have a spring loaded clip on the back that pops open when you push it through to the backside of the sheetrock. These will hold far better than regular anchors when you cannot screw directly into a stud. I had to use them on one of my wall brackets for my tank and don’t have any worries about it.

Is that a TV mount with Kessil articulating ball mounts? Looks like you DIYed a mounting plate as well?

 

[Jake_the_reefer]

Finished product... spent 14$ if I spent another 2 I would have not cut my finger with a pipe cutter...wear gloves