Absolutely build around the tubs, because if you're not using lids, then you don't have to worry about measuring them incorrectly. I just built one that has 5 shelves and can hold either 5 41q sterilites or 10 28q sterilites. I think we used 3/4" black melamine. But it seriously weighs over 300 pounds, so getting something up any stairs would be really really difficult.

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...d.php?t=119354