Quote Originally Posted by meltface
Hello everyone,
Couple of quick questions.
I have a DWC in an 18 gallon rubbermade that I'm getting ready to start my grow in and I have yet to see how people check the PH and PPM of the grow without exposing the root area to light.

Do most people use a small hole in the lid that they cover and dip a stick down like checking oil?
Do they use an eye dropper to remove a sample and test that?

I have seen setups where a clear plastic tube is sticking out and straight up to show the water level but this water would then be exposed to light and cause algae right?

Thanks in advance for any help offered.

just lift the lid and check the solution, exposing the roots for a few minutes won't have any adverse effect at all (you just don't want your roots exposed to light for any length of time, like growing in a container that allows light penetration)

and, while true that allowing light to shine on your solution will promote algae growth, very little of the solution is exposed in that tube. if you follow image reapers advice it will be a non-issue.

that being said, toke amongst yourselves