Used 90g stand and canopy need to refurb

So I just bought a used 90g reef ready with stand and canopy. The previous owner has already sanded and stained most of the stand there is still a little bit left to do with the doors and such. The canopy still needs sanding and staining (there is also a little bit of rot/deterioration on the inside of the canopy from salt creep). I will be kind of continuing in his efforts but I was wondering what everyone thought, would painting or staining be a better choice to try to save the wood and provide a good looking stand?

 

Staining will be better and sealing it I painted mine and as I move my sump it scratches and leaves areas unprotected

 

And as far as the canopy sand it down and put acrylic down to protect if from salt creep I used it around my sump and all the salt creep just wipes right off no problem! I had extra laying around so I figured I'd use as much of it

 

Sounds good, dark stain and some acrylic

 

I have agree on the stain. You can get a deck grade exterior seal after your done, and no water should bother your.

 

I bought minwax pre stain, ebony stain, and spar poly. The tank gets dropped off by its previous owner in a couple hours and I will start staining asap.