I'm all for the takeaway tek. Once you have it dialed in I'm with Halcyon as set and forget.
I use new containers, and then recycle them for the job. Also found once there has been fats/oils in them they never really clean up so I stopped using any previously used for food.
Getting the moisture right is a key part of dialing them in. I just take my time using a mist bottle, and pretty much just get a feel for the weight.
Generally use a good seed raising mix, but sometimes mix a little fine sand in, and Lophs I use a thin sand layer on top out of habit. Sometimes I sieve the mix, especially if there is barky bits. The more organics the more problems IMO. Never had any decent results with coir/peat and cacti seeds myself.
I kick em off under fluoros on a heat mat. Have cooked a few when kicking off under sunlight... Lol... So I avoid it in my growing using TT method.
Open them up slowly once they've grown a bit, and move into some natural light,crack em open and punch some drainage holes until ready to transplant.
Tried a few ways before the TT, but get better results for me using it... Also for some non-spikey things.