I'm sorry I didn't see the question. What I am going to do from now on with autos, is use

OF or any nuted soil on the bottom, and use something neutral on top. That way by the time the roots get to the nuted soil, it will be old enough to need the nutes
As far as the shell, I pop them off with a toothpiick. Those leaves are going to wither in a few weeks, so even if you do a little damage, it's nothing really. Just be gentle