thread tape on plastic pipe threads?

Pheeshes · 01/15/2008, 01:48 PM

i work mostly on cars and my plumbing knowledge is very limited. i'm plumbing my new 75 gallon tank and i'm using the clear vinyl tubing and plastic barb and pipe fittings. do i need to use thread tape on the plastic fittings? i use it with pipe thread when it's metal, but i wasn't sure about plastic. thanks guys.

serum153 · 01/15/2008, 01:51 PM

Yes use teflon

rustybucket145 · 01/15/2008, 01:54 PM

Yes, but only on threaded fittings, DO NOT use it on the barbed end of the fittings. I'm pretty sure you already knew that but from the wording of your thread it sounded like you were going to teflon the barbed end.

AZDesertRat · 01/15/2008, 01:55 PM

Use either teflon tape or I prefer the thread sealant sticks that look like a fat crayon in a cardboard tube for PVC. Before you assemble anything clean the excess flashing or plastic out of the threads so it does not cut the teflon or scrub the sealant out of the threads. This little step really helps prevent leaks without having to really crank down on the fittings.
You can get the thread sealant sticks at any hardware store usually where they have the natural gas or propane supplies aisle.

Pheeshes · 01/15/2008, 02:06 PM

ok, thanks guys. that's the plan then, i'll probably stick with the teflon tape since i already have that, but i'll have to look into the sticks next time i'm at the hardware store.

AZDesertRat · 01/15/2008, 02:37 PM

The guys who installed my swimming pool years ago turned me on to the sticks. He swears that is all they have ever used on PVC and they never have problems. My pool equipment has been in over 20 years and not even a drip yet!

01/15/2008, 01:48 PM	#1
Pheeshes Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 181	thread tape on plastic pipe threads? i work mostly on cars and my plumbing knowledge is very limited. i'm plumbing my new 75 gallon tank and i'm using the clear vinyl tubing and plastic barb and pipe fittings. do i need to use thread tape on the plastic fittings? i use it with pipe thread when it's metal, but i wasn't sure about plastic. thanks guys.

01/15/2008, 01:54 PM	#3
rustybucket145 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: valdosta, ga Posts: 3,707	Yes, but only on threaded fittings, DO NOT use it on the barbed end of the fittings. I'm pretty sure you already knew that but from the wording of your thread it sounded like you were going to teflon the barbed end. __________________ 400gals of various tanks in the same system. Current Tank Info: 2 175w MH, 2 VH0 Actinics, Lots of Live Rock, tons of copepods, a Fat Mandarin Goby, Niger Trigger, Yellow Tang, Falco Hawkfish, Bi-Color Pseudo, numerous soft, SPS and LPS Corals

01/15/2008, 01:51 PM	#2
serum153 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Reno Posts: 584	Yes use teflon

01/15/2008, 01:55 PM	#4
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	Use either teflon tape or I prefer the thread sealant sticks that look like a fat crayon in a cardboard tube for PVC. Before you assemble anything clean the excess flashing or plastic out of the threads so it does not cut the teflon or scrub the sealant out of the threads. This little step really helps prevent leaks without having to really crank down on the fittings. You can get the thread sealant sticks at any hardware store usually where they have the natural gas or propane supplies aisle.

01/15/2008, 02:06 PM	#5
Pheeshes Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 181	ok, thanks guys. that's the plan then, i'll probably stick with the teflon tape since i already have that, but i'll have to look into the sticks next time i'm at the hardware store.

01/15/2008, 02:37 PM	#6
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	The guys who installed my swimming pool years ago turned me on to the sticks. He swears that is all they have ever used on PVC and they never have problems. My pool equipment has been in over 20 years and not even a drip yet!