The Rome Authorities created a compromise by raising the prize money amount, with 7/10 going to Zapalla for his eight side groups, and 3/10 going to Della Bitta for his centerpiece. The two were then ordered to create life size clay models, to be placed into the fountain, so the public could decide and react.
Here is a description of the design of the new fountain, "The main statue in the center of the fountain depicts Neptune standing on a rock and fighting a sea monster; around him, near the edge of the pool are two Naiads. One seems to be smiling as she wraps her tail around a swan whose neck she is squeezing so that the water will gush from its mouth; the other looks disgusted as she grasps the end of another sea monster’s tail and, with her left hand, tries to protect herself against the water that sprays violently over her from her own mouth. In between, are two seahorses: one, meek and obedient, allows itself to be led by a happy child; the other, maddened and wild, is trying to overturn a little rider who cannot control it and is trying desperately to cling on to the mane of the unruly steed. These four groups are interspersed with as many others, each representing an imp: one toys playfully with a crab, one with a shell, a third struggles fearfully with a revolting sea monster; the last tries manfully to climb onto a fish that seems to be some kind of dolphin"
The public opinion of the fountain design was favorable, especially since both men created piece that were inspired and harmonious to the Fountain of the Moor. By June of 1878, the fountain was reconstructed, resolving the issue of the decrepit and unattractive fountain.
It was later submitted that the statues submitted for the examination of design and models, the first committee had another tasks. They were to determine the models that would work for the Christ on the Cross statue that was to be set up at the entrance of the Cemetery at Campo Verano.
