canister will be a Nitrate factory if you didnt maintain.
No doubt some reefers have success with canister, but nobody know the story behind..
I or I should say WE strongly suggest u get a sump.
No worries for e wood, unless u splash water to wash your flooring. Get changai wood for long and stable run..
If your tank is small, take a look at my thread. with skimmer, fr , pumps, auto top up, reservoir , chiller pump,even refugium inside my sump.
Importance is design ur tank base on the type of equipment dimension u be getting. Get a powerful skimmer once and for all.
I'm in e west. As cool guy mention, welcome to drop by my use too for some ideas.