Since I obsess about everything else in this hobby may as well not skimp on my build here
After seeing how stands are made not to mention the cost there was no way I would trust staples and simple 1x construction...oak please :/
I chose to use common pine (bc I really love the knots...however constructionally incorrect, and thanks Juniormc8704 for bugging me till i caved to plane the wood LOLOL) glued and screwed sandwiched 1x6 Jenga'd together (thank you Poseidon/Mike for the recommendation!!) It will be completely pained/poly w/ stained front, sump area will be poly'd then rubberized (for always inevitable overflow). There is a dry box under the top of the stand to safely store all power strips, and a drain in the top (under tank) to direct any overflow into the top of the ref/sump.
Now, I could not just have the Utilitarian Master stand...I want to have something pretty too. I had chosen to design a skin/fascia and model after a Torii design from Shinto architecture.
I will be painting the void areas That are actually removable panels (ie between legs and top boards) the same color as background wall, want to achieve an illusion of openness.
Please excuse the highly detailed drawing style lol