silicone on threaded pvc fittings?

drewspuppet · 01-13-2009, 09:44 PM

i read somewhere you can use aquarium silicone on threaded pvc fittings to help the seal and that it will disassemble easily. Anyone do this or what else do you use on threaded fittings?

missionsix · 01-13-2009, 09:53 PM

I use teflon tape.

Froc3 · 01-13-2009, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by missionsix

I use teflon tape.

+1 I guess using silicone would be a thin enough layer to simply pull apart, but silicone can be pretty strong sometimes... i wouldn't do it on my plumbing.

reef_guru · 01-13-2009, 10:05 PM

teflon tape will deteriorate over time with the saltwater, widens the diameter of the male end and may split the female end if over tightened. silicone needs to spread evenly over the male threads and can be smoothed out once tightened. silicone fills all the crevasses and the teflon tape covers them. ive tried the teflon tape and will stick with the silicone.

james37128 · 01-14-2009, 01:06 AM

I have used both, teflon tape unscrews a lot easier. Both make good seals.

ReefSparky · 01-14-2009, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by missionsix

I use teflon tape.

Works great.

PharmrJohn · 01-14-2009, 02:36 AM

Teflon here.

bc219 · 01-14-2009, 05:30 AM

I use teflon tape too, and I like how it unscrews easily. I imagine, as reef guru said, that over time it could be affected by the saltwater, however it's easy to replace and if it's starting to go bad it wouldn't be a bad idea to unscrew whatever it is and clean it anyway.

01-13-2009, 09:44 PM	#1
drewspuppet Flamingo Tongue Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: MN Posts: 119 Skin: Mint Karma: 106	silicone on threaded pvc fittings? i read somewhere you can use aquarium silicone on threaded pvc fittings to help the seal and that it will disassemble easily. Anyone do this or what else do you use on threaded fittings?

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01-13-2009, 09:53 PM	#2
missionsix 3reef Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bend,Oregon - USA Age: 39 Posts: 5,740 Skin: Mint Karma: 1676731	I use teflon tape.

01-13-2009, 10:05 PM	#4
reef_guru Finback Whale Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: joliet,il Age: 45 Posts: 2,701 Skin: Mint Karma: 96170	teflon tape will deteriorate over time with the saltwater, widens the diameter of the male end and may split the female end if over tightened. silicone needs to spread evenly over the male threads and can be smoothed out once tightened. silicone fills all the crevasses and the teflon tape covers them. ive tried the teflon tape and will stick with the silicone.

01-14-2009, 01:06 AM	#5
james37128 Coral Banded Shrimp Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Tokyo, Japan Posts: 353 Skin: Mint Karma: 1482	I have used both, teflon tape unscrews a lot easier. Both make good seals.

01-14-2009, 02:36 AM	#7
PharmrJohn Giant Squid Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Shelton, Washington Age: 49 Posts: 4,613 Skin: Mint Karma: 27435	Teflon here.

01-14-2009, 05:30 AM	#8
bc219 Millepora Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Mishawaka, IN Age: 34 Posts: 937 Skin: Mint Karma: 2526	I use teflon tape too, and I like how it unscrews easily. I imagine, as reef guru said, that over time it could be affected by the saltwater, however it's easy to replace and if it's starting to go bad it wouldn't be a bad idea to unscrew whatever it is and clean it anyway.