Adding 3/4" Mod. piping to 1" Return

[hqgc]

I have two corner overflows in my tank with 1.5" durso's and 1" returns. As of now all I have is a 1" 90 degree elbow on my returns in my tank and they look like crap (white) . Here are my questions.
1. Can I run 3/4" mod. piping and a flare nozzle fitting to my 1 " returns or will this create to much "back pressure" for my pumps?
2. Could I connect my two returns together above the tank with pipe and then run 3 or 4 flare fittings off the 1" pvc?
3. Will having the two pumps and returns connected together as in question #2 create any problems?
Thanx.
p.s. The reason I am going with 3/4" flares is that is all I could find.