I used to use open boxes but I found that the tubes (and anything else I
stored that way) got too dusty.

A piece of cloth (old bedsheet) spread over the contents of each box
keeps dust off. I've stored my tubes in cardboard bins for years,
sorted by initial number. When I get too many of a number I subdivide
by following letter. There's no need for an inventory list since
there's no question where a tube is.

Alan