I was asked about this today:
Why?
Because those two bendable rubber things are t3h suK. The hose diameter is homotesticle and I've accidentally knocked one off while working on a tank. As you might imagine, hilarity ensued.
So anyway, with this mod, all I did was grab two 3/4" NPT -> hosebarb fittings and JB welded them to the top of the lid. FYI, JB weld may perhaps be the single most amazing thing this side of my boxers.
From here, you can just pop on 5/8" ID hose and off you go. No worrying about knocking off a hose while you're trying to undo a union or pulling out your UV sterilizer. I suppose you could use elbowed adapters, but then you'd have to be precise about what direction you epoxy them, else you're owned.
But yeah, it's still easy to pull apart. You just rotate the body of the reactor instead of the lid.
Til next time, may the force be with you.