Am I overthinking this?

[BeerTooth]

I have a 15.5 gallon beer keg that I am going to have two 1/2" couplers welded into.

One for a ball valve, the other for a thermometer.

My question is: Should I screw the thermometer into the coupler, and mark on the coupler where I want 12 o'clock to be, so that I can orient the thermometer correctly? Or will plumbers tape take care of that?

 

[Saboral]

You're probably overthinking. If you get it close you'll be able to get it water tight and oriented right, just get it snug and then tighten to the correct orientation. It'll be fine.

 

[JDXX1971]

If you're asking if you should mock it up, sure. Why wouldn't you? You've already thought about it, you're half way there.