Removing mini phals from LECA to investigate roots?

[locus-of-control]

A year ago I put two mini phals in semi hydro. They're both in glass jars with holes drilled near the bottom for ventilation/reservoir. They seemed to have really taken to it and grew lots of new roots and some leaves. I water them with diluted dyna-gro orchid/superthrive, monitor/adjust pH, and flush them out from time to time.

So I've noticed the smaller one has stopped growing and it hasn't grown a new leaf/roots in months. It's definitely not dying but it's also not doing anything. Also have spotted a questionable looking root on the larger phal.

Should I remove them from the LECA to see what's going on with their roots? I would keep them both in the same jar and use the same LECA they have been in. I also want to clean the jars and the LECA (noticed some white stuff), how should I go about doing this? In the past I've just boiled the LECA and cleaned the jars with rubbing alcohol.