Small Amount of Leakage at Hose Ends?

[Strife]

Is a "small" amount of leakage at hose ends normal? It's an 86 560SL; I'm afraid to tighten the daylights out of hoses at the radiator, for obvious reasons (the plastic fittings). Maybe this leakage is more obvious because I have a lot of parts polished. I'm using M-B radiator fluid, which does seem to leave a lot of residue when dry. I've never seen an actual leak, just the residue.

P.S. The hose that connects between the engine and water pump outlet balloons quite a bit, and makes me nervous. It is less than three months old, and it is the correct type and length (60mm, exactly) of hose. Normal?