[Speckul8r]

Doug sure is right about the backwards wrap. It'll never seal that way. I had clean forgotten about that error since it is now 2nd nature for me to do it the corrrect direction.

I like the pipe dope in the tube the best for this application. The grey stuff has been the best if you intent to remove the fitting again, which you will do in this case. There is some blue dope that does both gas and water pipes but that stuff is a bear to undo so check b4 buying. I'm sure color is of no consequence but this is the stuff I have dealt with. The reference to the consistancy is very close. Male threads only.

Very little will get into the heaters interior. It's inert so you won't get poisoned nor will it effect the heaters element.