Brands

Water Baths Accessories

<h2>What Are Water Bath Accessories?</h2>
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Water bath accessories are the ancillary components that maximize the function, safety, sample capacity, and operational life of laboratory water baths. They fall into five categories: sample holders (tube racks, floating racks, flask trays, concentric ring covers) that organize and stabilize sample containers in the bath; temperature measurement tools (calibrated bath thermometers, RTD probes, temperature data loggers) that verify the bath is performing to specification; coverage and evaporation control items (gable lids, flat covers, hollow bath balls) that reduce heat loss and contamination; water conditioning products (antimicrobial additives, deionized water corrosion inhibitors) that maintain bath water quality; and plumbing components (tubing, hose clamps, insulation kits) for connecting circulating baths to external equipment. Select accessories based on your sample container format, the temperature at which the bath operates (higher temperatures need better coverage), and whether the bath is used for sensitive biological samples (requiring antimicrobial water treatment).
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<h2 dir="ltr">What You Will Find:</h2>
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Microtube Racks: Custom optional racks created to securely accommodate 0.5 mL, 1.5 mL, and 2.0 mL microtubes for efficient sample processing in high densities.
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High-Capacity Test Tube Holders: Sturdy racks offered in various setups, accommodating up to 76 x 15 mL tubes or 30 x 50 mL tubes.
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Adaptable Tube Holder: An extensive selection of inserts designed for 5 mL, 15 mL, and 50 mL tubes to guarantee uniform thermal treatment for each sample.
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Efficient Design: Sturdy, corrosion-proof rack configurations that snugly fit in your water bath chamber to avoid tipping and loss of samples.
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<h2>How to Choose Water Bath Accessories</h2>
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Tube racks and sample holders
Stainless steel tube racks with fixed openings (10 mm, 16 mm, 25 mm hole diameters) hold test tubes and microcentrifuge tubes in the bath upright and submerged to the required depth. Polypropylene tube racks that sink in water (made from a PP blend with higher density than water) are stable in shaking baths; confirm sinking vs. floating designation before purchasing for a shaking water bath application. Floating foam racks (HDPE foam, brightly colored) suspend tubes at the water surface for partial immersion and are suitable for thawing frozen cryovials gently. Flask trays and concentric ring covers accommodate round-bottomed and flat-bottomed Erlenmeyer flasks of 50-2000 mL.
Bath thermometers and temperature verification
Calibrated non-mercury glass thermometers (spirit-filled with red or blue alcohol) for water bath use are available in ranges of 0-50 degrees C and 0-100 degrees C, and verify the bath's setpoint accuracy by independent measurement. Digital reference thermometers with immersion RTD probes (PT100 or PT1000) provide higher accuracy verification (plus or minus 0.1 degrees C) and are required for GLP and cGxP compliance documentation. Traceable calibration certificates with NIST reference are available for digital probe thermometers used in regulated laboratory environments.
Covers and evaporation control
Gable (ridge) lids deflect condensate from the inside surface of the lid to the bath walls, preventing droplets from falling onto open sample vessels. Flat polycarbonate or stainless steel lids are simple and cost-effective, but they accumulate condensate pools that drip. Hollow ball lids (polyethylene bath balls, 35-40 mm diameter, floating in a layer on the bath surface) are particularly effective at reducing evaporation and maintaining temperature while allowing easy sample insertion and removal without removing a rigid lid; they can reduce evaporative loss by over 80% at 60 degrees C compared to an open-top bath. Covers are essential for baths operating above 80 degrees C, where evaporation rates are high.
Antimicrobial additives and water quality
Bacterial, algal, and fungal contamination of bath water occurs readily at 37 degrees C (physiological temperature), producing biofilms on tank walls and heating elements that can cross-contaminate open sample vessels. Quaternary ammonium-based antimicrobial bath additives (added at 1:100 to 1:1000 v/v to deionized water) maintain water clarity and reduce biofilm formation. Corrosion inhibitor additives for stainless steel tanks protect against pitting corrosion when deionized water (which lacks the buffering of tap water and can be mildly aggressive to stainless steel) is used. Always confirm that additives are compatible with your sample type and bath material before use.
Plumbing kits for circulating baths
Circulating baths are connected to external jacketed vessels, reactor jackets, and instruments via flexible silicone or polyurethane tubing, hose barb fittings, and hose clamps. Plumbing kits from Thermo Fisher (Precision bath plumbing packages) and PolyScience include compatible tubing diameters and fittings for their specific circulating bath models. Thermal insulation wrap (foam pipe lagging) on external tubing runs between the bath and jacketed vessel reduces heat loss and improves temperature control at the external application.
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<h2>Specifications Context</h2>
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Hollow polyethylene bath balls reduce evaporation by over 80% at 60-80 degrees C compared to open-top operation, significantly reducing the frequency of water top-ups and the energy lost through evaporative cooling at high setpoint temperatures. Spirit-filled non-mercury glass thermometers for water baths are calibrated to plus or minus 1 degree C; digital RTD reference probes provide plus or minus 0.1 degrees C accuracy and are required for documented temperature verification in GLP, ISO 9001, and CLIA-regulated environments. Polypropylene tube racks formulated to sink in water are specified for shaking water bath use; a standard floating foam rack will be swept out of position by the agitation mechanism in an orbital shaking bath, making sinking racks essential for shaker applications. Hollow bath ball lids and antimicrobial water conditioning have become standard practice in cell culture labs as replacements for open-top baths and uncontrolled tap water, driven by contamination events and GLP audit requirements.&nbsp;
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Upgrade your immersion heating system now&mdash;explore our water bath accessories and <a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us">reach out to the MBP team</a> for a quote.

Test Tube rack for 40 x 0.5 ml tubes

B2000-4-T5 by Benchmark Scientific is an optional tube rack that holds 40 x 0.5mL tubes, designed for use with the MyBath Series digital water baths.

Manufacture

Test Tube rack for 40 x 1.5/2.0 ml tubes

B2000-4-T1520 by Benchmark Scientific is a replacement/accessory rack for the Benchmark MyBath™ Digital Water Bath, holding 40 x 1.5 or 2.0 ml microcentrifuge tubes. Compatible with the 4L, 8L, and 12L MyBath models. Order via Quick Order at mbpinc.net/quickorder using catalog number B2000-4-T1520, or contact customerservice@mbpinc.net.

Test Tube rack for 41 x 15 ml tubes

B2000-4-T150 by Benchmark Scientific is a tube rack holding 41 x 15mL tubes, designed for the Benchmark MyBath 4L digital water bath and available separately as a replacement or spare.

Test Tube rack for 76 x 15 ml tubes

B2000-8-T150 by Benchmark Scientific is a high-capacity tube rack that holds 76 x 15mL tubes, designed for use with the Benchmark MyBath 8L and 12L digital water baths.

Test Tubes

<h2 dir="ltr">What are Test Tubes?</h2>
 Test tubes for laboratory use are open-ended, cylindrical glass or plastic tubes used to hold, mix, incubate, and heat liquid and solid samples across a broad range of applications: bacteriological culture, tissue culture, clinical chemistry, serological assays, immunology, and general sample processing. Choose borosilicate glass for reusable, high-temperature, or chemically demanding applications; choose polystyrene disposable 12&times;75 mm tubes for flow cytometry and colorimetric assays; choose polypropylene capped tubes for microbial culture with anaerobic or gas-generating organisms.
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<h2 dir="ltr">What you will find:</h2>
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<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">Glass test tubes in diverse formats for heating and chemical reaction workflows</li>
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Plastic polypropylene test tubes for routine laboratory use
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Graduated tubes for quick and easy volume estimation
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Conical and round-bottom tube formats for different applications
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Sterile disposable test tubes for clinical and diagnostic work
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Heat-resistant tubes for incubation and controlled heating steps
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<h2 dir="ltr">How to Choose Test Tubes</h2>
 Material: Glass vs. Polypropylene vs. Polystyrene Borosilicate glass 3.3 (ASTM E438 Type I, Class B) test tubes withstand direct flame, autoclave sterilization at 121 &deg;C, and most solvents, acids, and bases. They are reusable and autoclavable, making them cost-effective over high-volume laboratory runs. Polystyrene (PS) disposable tubes offer outstanding optical clarity for flow cytometry (FACS), cell counting, and OD-based colorimetric assays, but cannot be autoclaved and should not be used with aromatic solvents or strong acids. Polypropylene (PP) tubes are chemically resistant, autoclavable, and available with screw caps for anaerobic culture or gas-generating reactions. Rimmed vs. Rimless Rimless test tubes (fire-polished ends) allow easier insertion of rubber or silicone stoppers and are preferred for plugging with cotton wool for microbial culture. Rimmed tubes have a flared lip that facilitates pouring and is compatible with spring-metal tube closures. Confirm your closure type before ordering in bulk. Size and Volume The most common test tube dimensions in clinical and research labs: 12&times;75 mm: ~5 mL capacity; standard for flow cytometry, FACS, serology 13&times;100 mm: ~10 mL; general culture and chemistry 16&times;100 mm: ~14 mL; culture and chemistry 16&times;125 mm: ~17 mL; microbiological culture 18&times;150 mm: ~25 mL; larger-volume digests and culture Wall thickness of 1.2 mm (light wall, borosilicate 3.3) is the standard for general lab use; heavy-wall versions are used for digestions and applications involving vacuum or pressure. Sterile vs. Non-Sterile Sterile borosilicate glass culture tubes (individually wrapped or bulk-sterilized) are required for microbial culture, cell culture, and any application where contamination would invalidate the result. Non-sterile tubes are adequate for chemistry, spectroscopy, and other abiotic applications. Disposable PS tubes from Corning (PYREX&trade;) and Globe Scientific are supplied sterile or non-sterile; confirm the specification on the lot certificate. 
<h2 dir="ltr"> Specifications Context</h2>
 Borosilicate glass 3.3 test tubes have a linear thermal expansion coefficient of 3.3 &times; 10⁻⁶ K⁻&sup1;, providing resistance to thermal shock from room temperature to 300 &deg;C (direct flame) and from 0 to 121 &deg;C (autoclave cycles). Light-wall tubes (1.2 mm uniform wall thickness) provide the standard for general laboratory use; heavy-wall variants (2.0 mm) are used for digestion vessels and pressurized applications. Corning PYREX&trade; disposable round-bottom rimless glass tubes for tissue culture conform to ASTM standards and are the reference format for bacteriological serology and cell wash procedures. MBP supplies Globe Scientific and NEST Scientific test tube lines for research and clinical labs across the USA, Canada, and worldwide. &nbsp; 
If you&rsquo;re choosing between glass and plastic or trying to match the right size to your workflow, it&rsquo;s worth getting that part right early &mdash; it makes everything downstream smoother and a lot less messy. <a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us">Contact the MBP team now!</a>

6150-Group-Tubes, Caps & Racks Catalog

6150-Group-TDS-6148

Test Tube with Attached Blue Screw Cap

Globe Scientific 6150: 10 mL polystyrene test tube with attached blue screw cap, 16 × 100 mm, non-sterile, optically clear. 1000 per case. For routine specimen collection, sample storage, and colorimetric assay prep. Order at <a href="https://www.mbpinc.net/quickorder">mbpinc.net/quickorder</a>.

Test Tube with Separate Blue Screw Cap, 16 x 120mm (15mL), PS, 125/Bag, 8 Bags/Unit, CS/1000

Test Tube with Attached Blue Screw Cap, 16 x 100mm (10mL), PS, CS/1000

Test Tube with Attached Red Screw Cap, 16 x 100mm (10mL), PS, STERILE, Individually Wrapped, CS/750

Test Tube with Attached Red Screw Cap, 16 x 120mm (15mL), PS, STERILE, 150/Bag, 5 Bags/Unit, CS/750

Test Tube with Attached Red Screw Cap, 16 x 120mm (15mL), PS, STERILE, Individually Wrapped, CS/500

Test Tube with Attached Blue Screw Cap, 16 x 150mm (20mL), PS, CS/500

Test Tube with Attached Screw Cap, 16 x 100mm (12mL), PP, 250/Pack, 4 Packs/Unit, CS/1000

6148-Group-Tubes, Caps & Racks Catalog

6148-Group-TDS-6148

Test Tube with Attached Red Screw Cap

6148 by Globe Scientific is a 12 × 75 mm, 5 mL polypropylene test tube with an attached red screw cap providing a leak-tight seal. Rated to 3,000 RPM, autoclavable, and freezer-compatible, with chemical resistance to acids, alkalies, and solvents. Ships 1,000 per case (250/bag × 4 bags).

Test Tube with Attached Red Screw Cap, 12 x 75mm (5mL), PP, 250/Bag, 4 Bags/Unit, CS/1000

Test Tube with Attached White Screw Cap, 12 x 75mm (5mL), PP, 250/Bag, 4 Bags/Unit, CS/1000

Tubes, Caps & Racks Catalog

Lab Supplies for Physicians Offices

Test Tube, 11 x 70mm (3mL), PS, BAG/1000

118011 by Globe Scientific is a 3 mL polystyrene test tube, 11×70 mm, supplied in a bag of 1000. Rated to 1500 RPM maximum centrifugation; optically clear polystyrene for visual sample inspection. Fits 11 mm tube racks and is compatible with 11 mm polyethylene plug caps in multiple colors. ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturer.

Test Tube, 12 x 55mm (3mL), PP, BAG/1000

117041 by Globe Scientific is a 12 × 55 mm, 3 mL polypropylene test tube, non-sterile, in a bag of 1,000. Rated for centrifugation up to 3,000 RPM, autoclavable and freezable. Polypropylene construction resists acids, alkalis, and most solvents — suited for sample prep, dilutions, and immunological assays where PS tube limits are insufficient.

Test Tube, 12 x 55mm (3mL), PS, BAG/1000

Globe Scientific 117011 — 12×55 mm, 3 mL round-bottom rimless polystyrene test tube, rated to 1,500 RPM. Bag of 1,000. Suited for serial dilutions, hemagglutination assays, precipitation tests, and high-volume reagent dispensing.

113010-Tubes, Caps & Racks Catalog

Test Tube, 12 x 86mm (5mL), PS, with Rim, BAG/1000

113010 by Globe Scientific is a 5 mL polystyrene test tube measuring 12 &times; 86 mm with a beaded rim and round bottom, supplied in bags of 1,000. Optical-clarity PS construction allows direct visual inspection of turbidity and pelleting; the rimmed design seats securely in standard 12&ndash;13 mm tube racks and caps. Rated to 1,500 RPM centrifugation; suited for serial dilutions, cell culture, agglutination, and clinical sample staging.

Glass Culture Tubes

<h2 data-section-id="163ce0l" data-start="0" data-end="32">What Are Glass Culture Tubes?</h2>
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Glass culture tubes are cylindrical laboratory vessels used for the cultivation, storage, and handling of biological samples, microbial cultures, and liquid reagents. Available in rimless, stopper-compatible, and screw-cap configurations, these tubes are commonly manufactured from borosilicate glass that meets USP Type I and ASTM E438 Type I Class B specifications. Unlike disposable plastic alternatives, borosilicate glass culture tubes withstand repeated autoclaving, exposure to aggressive chemicals, and routine laboratory sterilization procedures. They remain the preferred choice for reusable microbiology, clinical, and research laboratory applications where durability and chemical resistance are essential.
Choose borosilicate glass culture tubes when your workflow requires sterilization, chemical resistance, or repeated reuse. Choose polystyrene culture tubes for economical, single-use laboratory applications.
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<h2 dir="ltr">What you'll discover:</h2>
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<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">High-grade Borosilicate Glass prevents cracking under extreme temperature shifts.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Integrated Tube Dispensers ensure safe, one-handed access and organized storage.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Uniform wall thickness guarantees consistent heating and cooling for every sample.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Available in Borosilicate Glass for high-heat tasks or Polystyrene (PS) for daily lab use.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Perfectly sized 16 x 75mm (8mL) configurations to fit universal laboratory racks.</li>
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<h2 data-section-id="8x2xgg" data-start="974" data-end="1010">How to Choose Glass Culture Tubes</h2>
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Material: Borosilicate vs. Polystyrene
Borosilicate glass culture tubes offer excellent thermal and chemical resistance, making them suitable for repeated autoclaving at 121&deg;C and exposure to most laboratory acids and bases. Their low extractable content minimizes contamination and pH changes during sensitive biological and chemical procedures. Polystyrene culture tubes provide excellent optical clarity and are commonly used for routine laboratory assays and serial dilutions, but they are intended for single-use applications and are not suitable for autoclaving.
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Size and Capacity
The most commonly used culture tube sizes are 16 &times; 75 mm with an approximate capacity of 8 mL and 16 &times; 100 mm with an approximate capacity of 12 mL. Smaller formats such as 12 &times; 75 mm and 13 &times; 100 mm are also available for specialized applications. Selection should be based on sample volume requirements, incubation conditions, and compatibility with existing laboratory racks and equipment.
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Rim Style and Cap Compatibility
Rimless culture tubes are designed for use with cotton plugs, foam stoppers, or push-in closures and are widely used in microbiology laboratories. Screw-cap culture tubes provide a more secure seal for specimen transport, long-term storage, and contamination-sensitive applications. Laboratories should verify tube dimensions and rack compatibility before purchasing.
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Quantity and Pack Format
Culture tubes are commonly supplied in bulk quantities ranging from 250 to 1,000 units per case. High-volume laboratories often purchase case quantities to support routine testing, culture preparation, and clinical workflows while simplifying inventory management and purchasing processes.
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<h2 data-section-id="1nunlvq" data-start="2731" data-end="2769">Compare Glass Culture Tube Variants</h2>
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Borosilicate Rimless Culture Tubes These reusable tubes are designed for repeated sterilization and microbiological culture applications. Compatible with cotton plugs and laboratory stoppers, they are commonly used in microbiology, cell culture, and general laboratory procedures where durability and autoclave compatibility are required.
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Borosilicate Screw-Cap Culture Tubes Featuring threaded closures for secure sealing, these tubes are ideal for specimen transport, reagent preparation, and long-term incubation studies. The screw-cap design minimizes contamination risk and reduces evaporation during storage.
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Polystyrene (PS) Culture Tubes Polystyrene tubes provide excellent optical clarity and are intended for single-use laboratory applications such as serial dilutions, colorimetric assays, and ELISA preparation workflows. They offer a lower cost per tube compared with reusable glass alternatives.
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16 &times; 75 mm (Approximately 8 mL) Culture Tubes This compact format is commonly selected for low-volume cultures, blood culture screening, serial dilution procedures, and routine laboratory testing where smaller sample volumes are sufficient.
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16 &times; 100 mm (Approximately 12 mL) Culture Tubes The larger 12 mL format provides additional working volume for microbial enrichment broths, larger reaction mixtures, and culture applications requiring increased sample capacity.
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<h2 data-section-id="1jl751w" data-start="4185" data-end="4210">Specifications Context</h2>
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Borosilicate culture tubes manufactured to ASTM E438 Type I Class B and USP Type I standards provide superior resistance to thermal shock, chemical attack, and contamination compared with standard soda-lime glass. Their uniform wall thickness helps prevent stress fractures during repeated autoclave cycles and temperature changes. Tube dimensions should be matched to laboratory racks, holders, and centrifuge adapters to ensure proper fit and safe operation.
MBP supplies borosilicate and polystyrene culture tube formats in bulk case quantities for research, clinical, and industrial laboratories throughout the United States, Canada, and international markets. Related products include microscope slides, laboratory glassware, and other essential laboratory consumables.
Sick of watching your budget shatter every time a tube hits the floor or the autoclave? Explore our collection today and <a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us">hit up our MBP Team</a> for a quick quote.

Group-TDS-119040

Test Tube, 16 x 75mm (8mL), PS

119010 by Globe Scientific is a 16 × 75 mm, 8 mL polystyrene test tube with rim, non-sterile, 2,500/case. High optical clarity for visual, colorimetric, and serological reads. Centrifuge-rated to 1,500 RPM. The standard test tube format for clinical lab sample handling, urinalysis, and agglutination testing.

Test Tube, 16 x 75mm (8mL), PS, with Rim, 2500/Cs

Test Tube, 16 x 75mm (8mL), PS, No Rim, 500/Bag, 2 Bags/Unit

Test Tube, 16 x 75mm (8mL), PP, with Rim, 2500/Cs

Test Tube, 16 x 75mm (8mL), PP, No Rim, 500/Bag, 2 Bags/Unit

110182-110186-Tubes, Caps & Racks Catalog

110182-110186-TDS-110182-110186

Test Tube, 17 x 100mm (15mL), PS, 500/Bag, 2 Bags/Unit

110182 by Globe Scientific is a 17 × 100 mm, 15 mL polystyrene test tube — optically clear PS, 1,500 RPM rated, 1,000 tubes total (500/bag × 2 bags). Standard format for serum separation, agglutination, and clinical chemistry workflows.