[Delphinus]

Another potential issue maybe with metal is it can get rusty, and cleaning rust flakes might be annoying (if nothing else).

Personally I think it's a question of what you've got available, and what you're comfortable working with. If it was me building the stand, I'd do it in wood since I maybe almost know how to work with wood. But welding? Forget it -- I haven't a clue. But a welder might think completely 180 different than that, they might say "metal all the way, why work with wood?". As long as either option is built right I think either option is fine. If I could find a stand made of metal that suited my needs and it was economical then I'd go with that and build a wooden facade to make it look nice. But if I was building from scratch myself then I'd go wood and maybe try to overbuild it a little if it was a big tank.

Bear in mind when you read my comments though that the biggest tank I've ever had is 75 gallons, which isn't very large compared to most of you guys out there.