Macro Algae Question

[Noob]

My sump has a small section where i grow my algae and things are starting to get too crowded.
So I have a couple questions.
Currently I have lots of grape caulerpa, dying cheato, and red gracilaria (i think)
Should i be thinning out the macro or just letting it grow as it grows?
If cheato algae dies in my tank will it cause any ill affect?
Are specified types of macro algae better to have in your tank then other?

[Mike]

Most people prune it, just like you would any other plant. That should help keep it healthy and growing, using up excess nutrients. Which is why you have it. We prefer cheato, not sure what others think...

[Noob]

I prefer the cheato also but its a slow grower compared to the grape caulerpa

[alton]

Prune, remove and you are removing nutrients and phosphates from your tank.

[klwheat]

In my large tank (with large sump) I usually pull a gallon sized freezer bag worth of macro out of my sump about every 2 weeks. Then, I give it away to another reefer or take it to a local shop. I prefer not to let it get too crowded so that it keeps tumbling well.

[Noob]

I have another questions
If i let the grape caularpa grow on to the live rock i have in the sump, will the rock be ruined?
And when i say ruined i mean, if i use the live rock in another display will the little roots left behind continue to grow?

[Koaboy]

I have a few rocks in with my macro. Every now & then I'll pull one out with grape growing on it & put it in the tank as a treat for the fish. They'll pick it clean.

[12_Egg_Omelette]

I would remove anything that is dying. Death is going to cause waste.

[leliataylor]

The problem with caulerpa is it will go sexual on you if you don't mow it down. Simply stated, if you thin it on a regular basis it will not cause any problems. It will go sexual on you if you don't keep it under control. When this happens you will wake up in the morning to a very cloudy tank. If it starts to turn white remove those pieces. Yes it will attach to rocks and it very difficult to get all the roots off of rocks. On the plus side it grows very quickly and is good at reducing nutrients. If you have herbivorous fish in your tank they will eat it.

P.S. Seahorses love Caulerpa prolifera.