Introduction
If your lab relies on nitrogen evaporation for sample concentration, you already know that the TurboVap workstation is a workhorse. But the tube you pair with it matters just as much as the instrument itself. Choosing the wrong size or style can mean slow evaporation, sample loss, or incompatibility with your rack — all of which cost time and money.
At Stone Glass, we've been manufacturing precision lab glassware in Vineland, NJ for over 30 years. In that time, we've helped labs across the country find the right TurboVap tube for their specific workflows. This guide breaks down what you need to know before you order.
What Is a TurboVap Tube?
TurboVap tubes are conical glass tubes designed for use with Biotage (formerly Zymark) TurboVap evaporation workstations. These instruments use a gentle stream of nitrogen gas combined with a warm water bath to concentrate samples quickly and consistently — a critical step in environmental testing, pharmaceutical analysis, food safety, and forensic workflows.
The tube's geometry, volume, and joint type must be compatible with both the instrument and your sample volume to get reliable results.
Key Selection Criteria
1. Sample Volume
The most fundamental factor is how much sample you're working with. TurboVap tubes are available in multiple sizes to accommodate different volumes:
- 50 mL TurboVap Tube — Ideal for smaller sample volumes and high-throughput labs running many samples simultaneously. The narrower profile concentrates samples efficiently and fits standard 50 mL TurboVap racks.
- 200 mL TurboVap Tube — Best suited for larger initial volumes that need to be reduced significantly before analysis. Common in environmental labs processing water or soil extracts.
A general rule: choose a tube that holds at least 20–30% more than your starting volume to prevent overflow during evaporation.
2. Rack and Instrument Compatibility
TurboVap workstations use specific rack configurations. Your tube must fit the rack's tube holders — both in diameter and length. Before ordering, confirm:
- Your TurboVap model (LV, II, or other)
- The rack size currently installed
- Whether you need tubes with or without a flat bottom for stability during loading
If you're unsure, our team can help you cross-reference your instrument model with the correct tube specification.
3. Glass Quality and Material
All Stone Glass TurboVap tubes are manufactured from borosilicate glass — the industry standard for lab glassware. Borosilicate offers:
- High thermal resistance (critical in a heated water bath)
- Chemical inertness with common solvents including hexane, acetonitrile, methylene chloride, and methanol
- Low extractables, which is essential for trace-level analytical work
Avoid soda-lime glass substitutes for TurboVap applications — they are more prone to thermal shock and may leach contaminants that interfere with sensitive analyses.
4. Tip Geometry
The conical tip of a TurboVap tube is engineered to concentrate your sample into a small, recoverable volume. A well-formed tip minimizes dead volume and ensures you can quantitatively transfer your concentrated sample. Look for tubes with a smooth, uniform taper — inconsistencies in the tip can cause sample to pool unevenly or be difficult to pipette out.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ordering by price alone: Cheaper tubes often have inconsistent wall thickness or poorly formed tips, leading to breakage and sample loss.
- Ignoring rack fit: A tube that's even a few millimeters too wide or too long won't seat properly in the rack, creating a safety hazard and uneven evaporation.
- Using damaged tubes: Inspect tubes before each use. Chips or cracks near the tip or rim are cause for replacement — thermal stress in the water bath can cause a compromised tube to fail mid-run.
Why Source from Stone Glass?
Stone Glass has been a trusted supplier of precision lab glassware since the early 1990s. Our TurboVap tubes are:
- USA-made in Vineland, NJ
- Manufactured to tight dimensional tolerances for consistent rack fit
- Produced from high-quality borosilicate glass
- Available in both 50 mL and 200 mL configurations
As a family-owned business, we stand behind every piece of glassware we ship. If you have questions about compatibility or need a custom specification, reach out — we're happy to help you get it right the first time.
Ready to Order?
Browse our TurboVap tube selection below and order direct from our online store with fast shipping from New Jersey:
Have a question about which tube is right for your application? Contact our team — we've been answering these questions for over 30 years.