I estimate my cost around 45 to buy everything by the brick from lego. I built mine from all the same Masonry bricks, which are abit more money but look better IMO. Granted I didn't pay that (yard sales!!!) But either way it clears up my desk from a lot of clutter, after hours of searching online for a stand, all had either too many holes, not enough holes or to many 26650 holes, lego was the choice. As your need grows, just build another section. if you spill
juice down in it (Which I already have) set it in the sink, run hot water over it for 20 mins with dawn soap, let it dry for a day and it wasn't even sticky.
Its actually study, I bet I could stand on it. Then again if it hit the floor, It would end up being Version 8ish rebuild.
I'm working on a new version with glow in the dark and LED red lego's. I may try the battery tester that was posted, that seems helpful.
Never know, I may bust out the mindstorm modules.