My stand built to take a 240 with a 120 currently on it. I built this to not have any center supports, and be salt water proof on the out side. hence making it ez clean up.
I plan on building a GARF stand soon located here. I like the the idea of being able to access all sides of the bottom equipment. It has a removable facade and covers the lower trim and sand layer of a glass tank. I don't like the looks of the top hood in the picture though.
I plan on building the lower frame out of something other than complete plywood because their design looks very wasteful, but I have not decided yet. NaTe R's stand design looks like a good design for a larger tank frame. I have a 29 gallon so don't need that much stoutness. For the facade, I think I will use birch plywood and regular hardwood molding then stain and seal using the water base type brands. I have used the water base brands before and think they look great with no or low odor and clean up easy. You could always use MDF trim with AC plywood and paint it too.
If doors are a problem for you, Lowes and HomeDepot both have put-together-yourself kitchen cabinets and often sell doors separately in many different styles and sizes.