Fountain Issue

I recently installed a trio water fountain. It is 3 basalt stones of varying heights-24",30",36". I installed a Atlantic 2000 gph pump which should be plenty. When I started it up I had to adjust the individual valves to get the right flow out of each stone. It worked for about 24 hours and then the flow would change. Initially, the 24" would pick up the additional flow and the other two columns would drop. In about a week there would be no flow to the other two columns. I finally decided to push more flow to the taller two columns. I actually pushed more than I would like but I assumed the flow would eventually move to the shorter column. It has not. The middle one is receiving most of the flow. The other two are trickling.

One thought I have is to shorten the hose. I did not do a good job of measuring all of the hose. I also ended up leaving the hose a bit longer thinking it would be easier to work on. I can pull the 3 way valve out and adjust it without laying on the ground. I am thinking the varying sizes of hose maybe my issue.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

Water will take the path of least resistance and getting three outlets in balance can be tricky. I don't think a three way valve provides the control you need. I think you need a separate valve controlling each fountain to provide what you want from all three.

 

The 3 way has individual valves. The fitting is similar to this-

Aquascape Aquascape 88026 0.75 in. Male by 0.75 in. Barb 3-Way Valve 88026 | Zoro

This is pretty standard for trio set ups. Atlantic, Aquascapes, etc. All use these valves for trios.

 

Which pump are you using..... the Atlantic TT2000 ?
That pump uses 1-1/2" fittings. I believe it comes with an 1-1/2" to 1" adapter.

I don't think the hose length is your issue.
That tee/valve you are using is 3/4".
That's quite a restriction on that pump.

Atlantic TT series fountain pumps

 

PJmax You might be right. That is the pump I am using. Unfortunately, that would require me to replumb the whole fountain. I am not sure if I can even get larger hose inside the columns.