When to harvest macroalgae??

[cora]

I've read that macroalgae should be harvested periodically or it may crash and leach all the unwanted nutrients back into the tank. My question is how do you know when to harvest it, how—and what if it's cheato?
I have several big brillo pads of chaeto, they just keep getting bigger and I've divided them down into smaller bunches, but how many is too many? Does it look any different when it needs harvesting.

 

[chipmaker]

Its mainly the caulerpa that needs to be kept at bay so it does not crash. Chaeto is not a problem. I just thin mine out when it starts to get to be too much for the fuge / sumps and starts impeeding my water flow.

 

[cora]

Chipmaker— I was hoping that was the case because I need alot of it right now. My present fuge is small and I'm getting a larger one, but need macro to use up nitrates.
Thanks for your reply, sorry I'm late in responding, I haven't been near a computer since Tuesday evening.