Use PEX and crimp the connections if you have any. Not following on the black tape?
Pex is good stuff. Used it when remodeled house. It will just be considerably more expensive, especially in the larger sizes.
The black tape is probably more psychological than doing any good. My idea was, I taped the hose clamp ends down tight against the pipe and taped the whole affair up good, hoping that having a stream lined unit if there was expansion from heating/cooling between seasons, the soil would not have as tight of grip in the clamps.
Probably not needed, but not much cost or effort either. Just the way I did it.
