Is pvc white tape good enough for co2 cylinder

**Chucklee** · 3rd Feb 2015, 16:02

Hi all,
Recently I found my cylinder pressure drop rate very unusual. Make some check and realise the joint between the solenoid to counter are leaking (tested with some water droplets).

Just wonder is it good enough to use those pvc white tube to cover the screw tread before jointing?

Thanks

**Urban Aquaria** · 3rd Feb 2015, 16:13

PVC tape usually tends to be abit too thick with gummy adhesive.... its better to use teflon plumbers tape which is thinner and without adhesive, they are designed specifically for creating better seals in threaded applications.

You can get them easily at most neighborhood hardware shops, only $1-$2 for a small roll, looks like this:

Photo from google images.

**Chucklee** · 3rd Feb 2015, 16:16

Thanks for the immediate response. Noted. Coz the current one which I got from as 2nd hand. The joints part does not seem like those white tape. More like.... harden silicon or...glue

**seudzar** · 3rd Feb 2015, 18:31

Agree with UA, get the Teflon tape.

**Chucklee** · 3rd Feb 2015, 18:44

One more thing. Sry for the newbie questions.
After dismantle the joints, guess normally we will remove the old used tape, simply we just unwind them.

But if it those harder silicon or glue or cement, any one got any idea what solvent we can use to remove them? Or can we just use a small flat screw driver to scrape them off then use a damp cloth to clean the thread?

Coz from what I last saw on the joints are not those white tape left over.
Just wish to get ready for a single off day work.

Thks in advance

**Shadow** · 3rd Feb 2015, 18:57

There should be rubber washer in between the solenoid and bubble counter. Check it out whether need to be replace or not.

**seudzar** · 3rd Feb 2015, 20:48

For those harder silicon or glue or cement, I suspect those are lock tight compound, just use a pen knife to scrape off slowly

**peanut88** · 7th Feb 2015, 04:24

I also use teflon tape many times to give a tighter fit even under water.

But there is always one question at the back of my mind.

Is teflon tape really 100% safe for my fish and plants ? Will it leach chemicals into the water somehow ?

**peanut88** · 17th Feb 2015, 07:41

Any help is appreciated.

Will teflon tape harm the fish or shrimps in the long run ?

**Urban Aquaria** · 17th Feb 2015, 09:16

Teflon or PTFE tape for plumbing purposes should be safe for livestock... its commonly used for pipes that supply drinking water and used in piping for aquarium sump tank filtration systems too.