need help with ceiling mounts

[gregzz4]

Is there a ceiling fixture you could take apart to find where the joists are ?

[Flash]

nothing in the area such as a light... and we tired paper, cardboard and still got nothing... I went and picked up a $60 stud finder maybe this one will work... and yes I tried all directions. my basement is 16" centers and they joists run north to south...If I had the option to cut out a small peiece I would... but i'd never get that fixed and the other half is already wanting to murder me!

[Mandosh]

Depending on how thick the drywall is and how much the light weighs, you could go with toggle bolts. I think the tension rating on a 3/8 bolt in 1/2" drywall is somewhere around 50-60lbs.

[ensquire]

Old drywaller here, and I would find the joists or you will eventually have a fixture in your tank. is it a painted ceiling or textured?