Inexpensive Test Tubes

Just a quick note and tip for you folks out there who need test tubes for fecals! When I order my 3 mm syringes from Jeffers, they each come in a protective plastic tube container. These can be saved to use for running fecal tests...very cheap and effective! The bottom isn't flat, but there are several easy ways to get them to stand upright.

#1 is to get an egg carton and cut holes in the surface that the tubes will fit snugly into to keep them upright.

#2 I confess I haven't actually tried this method, but see no reason why it wouldn't work. The tube comes with a flat cap. Get a glue gun and glue the cap to the bottom of the tube, creating a base. You could also fill the cap with modelling clay, floor leveler, Playdough model magic, or some similar substance...and then press the tube into it to hold securely.

Other places to look for test tubes would be yard sales and thrift stores, looking for children's chemistry sets. Also...if you anyone who smokes cigars, some of the more expensive ones some in a glass tube that will work nicely for a test tube.