Do you use Teflon tape for threaded PVC?

LennyD4 · 05/05/2012, 05:16 AM

So when you guys plumbed your systems did you use Teflon tape if you had threaded pieces or did you just screw it in as much as you could ?

10reefman · 05/05/2012, 05:21 AM

I always use it , that way you dont have to wory about leaks.

theplatypus · 05/05/2012, 05:25 AM

Yes

billdogg · 05/05/2012, 05:39 AM

I use it for pvc up to 1". Largber than that, and on pieces that would be a total pia to take apart and redo, I use teflon paste. A small amount around the male piece and then just thread them together. The paste spreads evenly around ensuring a leak proof seal.

Jsin · 05/05/2012, 05:57 AM

Yes I use it and sometimes I use a plumbers silicone on threads and o-rings, this is different than the silicone used to hold a glass tank together.

Breadman03 · 05/05/2012, 06:17 AM

I prefer Teflon paste.

Playa-1 · 05/05/2012, 06:57 AM

I use teflon tape.

Oppee · 05/05/2012, 07:53 AM

Tape can split the plastic if its built up to high, paste is the way to go. Megaloc paste is a great product.

markaren · 05/05/2012, 08:10 AM

Is the paste sold at local home improvement stores?

LennyD4 · 05/05/2012, 08:11 AM

Sweet thanks for the responses.

KRavEN · 05/05/2012, 09:20 AM

tape it or it will leak, forget the paste.

Outdoorfishes · 05/05/2012, 09:28 AM

Nothing but tape. That is my vote. Less expensive too

jerpa · 05/05/2012, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KRavEN

tape it or it will leak, forget the paste.

This is simply not true. If used properly a Teflon-free paste is actually the preferred method. Most leaks in threaded PVC connections are caused by overtightening or using too much tape. Whether you use paste or tape dry fit the connection. Count the number of turns required to make it finger tight. If using teflon tape dont wrap the threads more than twice. Screw the connection the number of turns for the dry fit plus 1/4-1/2 turn more. That's it.

FWIW I like Blue Monster paste from Lowe's. I used it to plumb my system and none of the 30+ threaded connections leaked.

LennyD4 · 05/05/2012, 09:53 AM

What is the paste called exactly? I couldn't find it on the Home Depot site. Askinge about HD because I still have some money on a giftcard for them.

LOMBO · 05/05/2012, 09:56 AM

Tape

Playa-1 · 05/05/2012, 09:56 AM

There are different kinds of paste and it's messy. Stick with two or three wraps of Teflon tape and be done with it. If you touch the fitting in the future you will be glad you didn't use paste.

psteeleb · 05/05/2012, 10:32 AM

I use tape but will use the heavier duty stuff when I have it

I've bought Teflon tape in at least three different thickness’s. Then normal white tape is pretty thin and takes 2-3 wraps and sometimes more to get a decent seal. There is a yellow tape that must be 2-3 times thicker then the white. The yellow tape is required by code for gas lines due to its ability to create a more consistent seal then the white tape. The yellow tape works better initially and it will last longer as it won’t break apart as easily while making a threaded connection.

There is also a pink tape that is for water plumbing but is about twice as thick as the white and like the yellow has a better chance of both the initial seal and longer lasting seal due to it’s durability.

White = normal water pipe but requires several wraps and may still be an issue

Pink = cost a bit more but is far superior to the white tape for creating a seal and lasting - but I don't see it very often

Yellow = is required by code on gas pipe threaded connections for its superior abilities to make and hold a seal.

LennyD4 · 05/05/2012, 01:08 PM

Great. Thanks for that info psteeleb.

kcress · 05/05/2012, 01:32 PM

I use anything BUT tape with PVC. It often fails to help with sealing on the junk threads provided with PVC these days. I use Rectorseal 5 and THAT works nicely and reliably.

http://www.rectorseal.com/product-da...no-5/dsno5.htm

It should be noted that tape and teflon paste are not sealents, whereas RectorSeal is a sealant.

When I assembled my tank with tape I had about 4 aggravating drips with tape. I had to laboriously remove lots of piping. I reassembled it exactly the same way with Rectorseal and had zero leaks.

05/05/2012, 05:16 AM	#1
LennyD4 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 499	Do you use Teflon tape for threaded PVC? So when you guys plumbed your systems did you use Teflon tape if you had threaded pieces or did you just screw it in as much as you could ?

05/05/2012, 05:39 AM	#4
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 3,619	I use it for pvc up to 1". Largber than that, and on pieces that would be a total pia to take apart and redo, I use teflon paste. A small amount around the male piece and then just thread them together. The paste spreads evenly around ensuring a leak proof seal. __________________ I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! The speed of light is faster than the speed of sound. That, my friends, is why some people appear to be smart until they start to talk. I can't help what my brain thinks! Current Tank Info: Currently I have 2 tanks - one - FOWLR _ with 4ft undulated moray and small cleanup crew, one 60g cube with softies and happyfish(reefsafe - gobies, etc.)

05/05/2012, 05:57 AM	#5
Jsin Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Melbourne,Fl Posts: 232	Yes I use it and sometimes I use a plumbers silicone on threads and o-rings, this is different than the silicone used to hold a glass tank together. __________________ -Jsin- Current Tank Info: 90 gallon mixed reef, ATI Sunpower 6x54w, SWC 160 cone skimmer, 2 Vortec MP 40s, and a 48" Reef Brite LED strip

05/05/2012, 06:17 AM	#6
Breadman03 Custom User Title Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Luzerne County, PA Posts: 619	I prefer Teflon paste. __________________ Twitter @GregsOil. I can't believe that my wife was honored at the Romantic Times convention in KC, MO. Congrats @DianeAlberts!! Current Tank Info: 75 gallon, sump, 1*MP40, Coralife SS65 Skimmer.

05/05/2012, 07:53 AM	#8
Oppee Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 51	Tape can split the plastic if its built up to high, paste is the way to go. Megaloc paste is a great product. __________________ Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted. Current Tank Info: 180g DT -- 55g sump--40g frag

05/05/2012, 05:21 AM	#2
10reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: new york Posts: 85	I always use it , that way you dont have to wory about leaks.

05/05/2012, 05:25 AM	#3
theplatypus Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 170	Yes

05/05/2012, 06:57 AM	#7
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,502	I use teflon tape.

05/05/2012, 08:10 AM	#9
markaren Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Clermont ,Florida Posts: 610	Is the paste sold at local home improvement stores?

05/05/2012, 08:11 AM	#10
LennyD4 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 499	Sweet thanks for the responses.

05/05/2012, 09:20 AM	#11
KRavEN Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 53	tape it or it will leak, forget the paste.

05/05/2012, 09:28 AM	#12
Outdoorfishes Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Bay area, California Posts: 79	Nothing but tape. That is my vote. Less expensive too

05/05/2012, 09:53 AM	#14
LennyD4 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 499	What is the paste called exactly? I couldn't find it on the Home Depot site. Askinge about HD because I still have some money on a giftcard for them.

05/05/2012, 09:56 AM	#15
LOMBO Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Coral Springs Posts: 70	Tape

05/05/2012, 10:32 AM	#17
psteeleb Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 5,211	I use tape but will use the heavier duty stuff when I have it I've bought Teflon tape in at least three different thickness’s. Then normal white tape is pretty thin and takes 2-3 wraps and sometimes more to get a decent seal. There is a yellow tape that must be 2-3 times thicker then the white. The yellow tape is required by code for gas lines due to its ability to create a more consistent seal then the white tape. The yellow tape works better initially and it will last longer as it won’t break apart as easily while making a threaded connection. There is also a pink tape that is for water plumbing but is about twice as thick as the white and like the yellow has a better chance of both the initial seal and longer lasting seal due to it’s durability. White = normal water pipe but requires several wraps and may still be an issue Pink = cost a bit more but is far superior to the white tape for creating a seal and lasting - but I don't see it very often Yellow = is required by code on gas pipe threaded connections for its superior abilities to make and hold a seal. __________________ A smooth sea never made a skillful mariner Current Tank Info: 110g Mixed Reef, LED's & T5's

05/05/2012, 01:08 PM	#18
LennyD4 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 499	Great. Thanks for that info psteeleb.

05/05/2012, 01:32 PM	#19
kcress Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Central California Coast. Posts: 5,383	I use anything BUT tape with PVC. It often fails to help with sealing on the junk threads provided with PVC these days. I use Rectorseal 5 and THAT works nicely and reliably. http://www.rectorseal.com/product-da...no-5/dsno5.htm It should be noted that tape and teflon paste are not sealents, whereas RectorSeal is a sealant. When I assembled my tank with tape I had about 4 aggravating drips with tape. I had to laboriously remove lots of piping. I reassembled it exactly the same way with Rectorseal and had zero leaks.