Does silicone expand with moisture?

[sashimimaster]

So I noticed a small leak in one corner of my tank. I drained it last week so the joints were dry for about a week. This leak is very very slow barely oozing. I would say about 1/2 cup per day. So I planned to drain it again in a few weeks to repair it and just put a small bucket under it for the mean time.

After a few days I noticed that the leak stopped oozing and now there's no more leak. I can only conclude that the silicone joints expanded and sealed itself. I didn't know silicone expanded when submerged

 

[boldtogether]

Silicon does not expand. Some fish poo or some such got into the crack the water is leaking through and stopped the leak for now. Why you don't have that tank drained already is scary!! Major catastrophic failures start as tiny little leaks.

 

[sashimimaster]

Umm, with that much pressure a little fish poo is not going to stop a leak.

Don't worry I'm still going to drain it and reseal it.

 

[skjl47]

Hello; I have had very slow leaks stop sometimes. I have guessed that the detritus in the tank may have plugged the leak especially if the leak is higher in the tank. I also have found slow leaks to originate at the top rim of a tank when the water level is high, perhaps from a wicking or capillary action.

 

[sashimimaster]

There really is no way it's detrius. First of all there's only 3 fish in there. Secondly my pumps blow combined 3600gph so there's a very strong current that won't let anything settle.

 

[tiersmoke92555]

From what I know it shrinks. On you set up Im guessing sediments have blocked the flow.

 

[boldtogether]

Umm, with that much pressure a little fish poo is not going to stop a leak.

Don't worry I'm still going to drain it and reseal it.

Really.

 

[kodzzz]

Dun think is fish poo. Might be ur substrate or some particles covering the leakage area.

 

[RonBurgandy]

Slow leaks do not stop, they grow into big leaks. The fact that the tank is not drained yet is a shame. I guess water damage is no big deal.

 

[sashimimaster]

It's not fish poo nor any sand or substrate. There is nothing floating around in the water.

The leak has all but stopped now and it's bone dry. I just checked it today. Really puzzling.