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Biologicals
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Aquarium Live rock contains biologicals that must be kept alive in order for the live rock to provide the natural filtering for the tank. If you remove some of the live rock in order to make room for rearranging, the live rock must be kept in water and close to the same temperature as the tank.
Live Rock with Corals on Them
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Corals on two rocks could tear If an existing coral is spread over two separate rocks, then you take care to either move those rocks simultaneously or try to separate the coral. If you accidentally tear a coral, one or both parts may die.
Sand Bed
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Stirring up the sand bed could overload the skimmer If you maintain a sand bed, be careful not to disturb the sand too much. This will stir up the detritus, potentially overloading the skimmer.
Non-coral Livestock
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Small creatures could get trapped and die Most tanks maintain non-coral livestock that frequently hide out in the live rock. As you move coral, be sure that you do not trap or kill that livestock. For example, a crab or starfish trapped in the sand under some live rock could die and decay, disrupting the tank's balance.
Anemones and Other Motile Coral
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Motile coral could become unsettled If you have a motile coral like an anemone, be aware that rearranging its home could cause it to unsettle. This could mean that the anemone is motile for several weeks looking for a new location with the appropriate light, flow and food sources.
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Is it Bad to Keep Moving Live Rock in Saltwater Tanks?
Live rock is a porous rock harvested from the sea with biologicals intact. Live rock in a saltwater tank serves multiple purposes, including balancing the ecosystem, facilitating corals' nutritional requirements and providing an aesthetic structure. When done correctly, moving live rock to achieve these objectives should not harm the live rock or the tank.