I have a three tier water fountain that I recently replaced the pump. I now cannot get water to come out of the top of the fountain. The pump I replaced pushes water up to 12 ft. so I know I have plenty of pressure. I checked the tubing and it seems fine except instead of flowing out of the top as intended in just flows into the bowl below. I've tried plumbers putty around the tubing but that only seems to last for a day or two and then then the back flow starts again. Any suggestions?

Any chance you can post a picture? What brand pump and specs did you buy, how many gpm?

The pump was purchased from home depot and 600 gpm. I don't recall the brand. As far as posting a pic, are you referring to the fountain or pump?

A pic of the leaking area would be best. But pictures of the fountain and pump would also be appreciated. Did you mean 6 gpm, if you have a 600gpm pump, I think it's a bit oversized.lol.

HD doesn't sell a pond pump rated for 600 gpm, maybe gph. They run about $50. Are you sure you connected the pump to the correct tubing running up to the fountain head?

I have a three tier water fountain that I recently replaced the pump. I now cannot get water to come out of the top of the fountain. The pump I replaced pushes water up to 12 ft. so I know I have plenty of pressure. I checked the tubing and it seems fine except instead of flowing out of the top as intended in just flows into the bowl below. I've tried plumbers putty around the tubing but that only seems to last for a day or two and then then the back flow starts again. Any suggestions?
I would begain by checking the topmost nozzle and working my way down the tubing. If you blow into the top nozzle where do the bubbles come out at? Back to you, Tom

Sorry, the pump is 600 gph not gpm, thanks for catching the typo. And yes I'm sure its attached to the correct tubing. I blew into the tube to see where bubbles came out and it was at the bottom so I'm not losing water or pressure in the tube. My next step will be to try apoxying around where the tube goes up into the last section. This way forcing any backflow out the top.

I am confused on this. In my pond the pump is in the low spot of the pond below the falls. Pump is under water with tubing leading to my falls, in your case to the fountain head. It is basiocally a straw with 2 ends, pump at one end and fall at other end. When pump is turned on the water flows down the tubing, maybe you have a leak right at the pump. Got any picture to post?

... Or you have kinked the tube in upper level of the fountain.