I used 3/8" oak dowel rods to hold the frame together. No nails or screws used.

When I made this stand, it was for Leopard Geckos I was breeding. The top held an incubator for the eggs, then the lower 2 tanks is were I raised the babies.
Now it holds some carnivorous plants and orchids.

I built another one of these stands. I will most likely stain it later. I'm raising black worms in the tank for my Discus.