My production of artifact points is up over 1000/hr and max at the moment is 48000. What's the right level to start collecting artifacts to increase chances of getting something good? I have been waiting to at least 30K, should I get it up to the max? I have only been lucky with a mass storage pod once (at a lower level and lower max) and often end up with a parade of semi-useless crap with the odd ship bot or rescued prisoners to make me feel better. I am focused on adding more artifact planets at the moment to help out here. Advice?

All you can do is collect when your points are more than whatever you want. 4000 is good for Rescued Prisoners, because if you let it go higher you might lose a lot of points on Continuum Beacons and Mass Storage Pods. If you want MSPs though, all you can do is make sure to stay above 20,000.