Are the rotten hoses just hoses? I mean do they have any funny bends in them? If they are just regular hoses, you can go to the autoparts store and get replacements easy. If I get what you're talking about. It's dark here so I can't run out and look. But any rotten hoses are bad.
About the smaller hissing hose. A little spit on the end of the connection will make it slide easier, the spit will eventually dry.
Little dab on the end of a finger, and lube the connection.
