Product Spotlight - Glass BOD Bottles

BOD stands for Biological Oxygen Demand, and is calculated through testing to determine the oxygen level required for the stabilization and decomposition of organic matter by aerobic biochemical actions. Glass BOD bottles are commonly used in these tests to determine pollution levels by incubating diluted samples of sewage, polluted waters, and industrial waste.

Glass BOD bottles are designed with features that aid in these tests. Their long necks and rounded shoulders are constructed to allow air to leave the glass bottles during filling. A flared mouth top prevents air from entering the BOD bottles during incubation. The BOD bottles are composed of Type I borosilicate glass, which is highly chemically resistant, has a high melting point, and stiff resistance to temperature change. The glass BOD bottles are able to handle various testing applications with ease. If an accident does occur, Type I glass is prone to breaking in large shards compared to other types of glass, allowing for quicker cleanup and promoting laboratory safety.

Glass BOD bottles with writing areas make recording, identifying and organizing collected samples easier throughout the testing process. Each glass bottle features a white writing area that is permanently applied and will not rub off or wear down over time.

Glass BOD bottles come in 60 ml and 300 ml capacities with a choice of Pennyhead or Robotic glass stoppers included. You can also purchase the 300 ml glass BOD bottles with writing area only without glass stoppers if needed.




The 60 ml and 300 ml glass BOD bottles may be purchased with Pennyhead or Robotic glass stoppers, writing areas, as well as the addition of printed numbers on each BOD bottle.

The 60 ml BOD bottles have a number sequence of 1 - 108 and the 300 ml BOD bottles have a numbering sequence of 1 - 432. The numbering sequence provides a convenient and straightforward method of identifying, storing and documenting samples in the laboratory.

SKS has two glass BOD bottles that do not come with writing areas. Our 2 L clear glass BOD bottles include robotic glass stoppers. Use the 2 L BOD bottles for long term or ultimate analysis of larger sample volumes.

For testing of light sensitive substances, choose the 300 ml black PVC coated glass BOD bottles. The black BOD bottles include robotic glass stoppers and black plastic caps to cover the stoppers while in use. The black PVC coating blocks all visible light up to 800 nm and inhibits the production of oxygen by algae. This feature could be useful when testing samples from bodies of water, marine life, and more.

Glass stoppers, available in either Robotic or Pennyhead style, are sized to match the 60 ml and 300 ml BOD bottles. Both styles of glass stoppers are tapered at the bottom to prevent air entrapment after filling and during other stages of testing. Both styles are composed of Type III Soda Lime Glass and will work the same.

An optional accessory to pair with the glass stoppers are PE caps with foam inserts. These PE caps snap into place over the openings of the BOD bottles, and the glass stoppers are then placed inside of the PE caps. The PE caps are used to prevent the evaporation of water during the five day BOD incubation period. The PE caps also ensure correct placement of the glass stoppers during each stage of testing as pressure is exerted.


Composed of low extractable borosilicate glass, SKS has BOD bottle aerators, which are compatible with the 300 ml size BOD bottles. These aerators have a 40 - 60 micron porosity glass frit and are constructed to work with the EPA 245.1 Manual Cold Vapor Technique.

Choose a rubber leash for all of the BOD bottles during testing or storage. The rubber leashes have 10 mm holes on each side. The first side wraps around the necks of the glass BOD bottles, and the second side wraps around the glass stopper. The rubber leash helps to ensure that the BOD bottles and glass stoppers are transported and stored as a set, reducing the chance of misplacement while in the field and during storage.