Tank Head With Bypass. Filter and bypass, one lever.
The Tank Head With Bypass replaces the standard head on your Spot Free Rinse deionised water tank and builds the DI tank bypass into the head itself — one lever to switch between filtered spot-free water and plain tap water. Use this guide to install it and use the lever correctly.
What's in the box
Everything you need to directly replace your existing tank head.
- Tank head with bypass function
- Heavy-duty handle
- 2 x male garden hose connectors
- Bottom basket
Fitting the new tank head
Work through each step to swap your existing head for the bypass head.
Remove the existing head
Unscrew and lift out
- Unscrew your existing tank head anticlockwise and lift it out.
- If the riser tube comes out with the tank head, pull it off and return it to its place in the centre of the tank. Make sure there is water in the tank — this loosens the resin and makes the tube easier to move around.
- Check the tank threads and wipe away any resin so the new head can seal properly.
Fit the bypass head
Screw on and connect
- Guide the riser tube into the underside of the new head as you lower it into place.
- Screw the head down firmly, making sure the seal is seated correctly.
Understand the lever
Only two positions matter
The lever has 4 positions because this style of head can be used on other systems:
- Filter — active. Water flows through the resin for spot-free rinsing.
- Bypass — active. Water skips the resin so you can save DI water for when you need it.
- Fast Rinse and Backwash — blocked off. These do not operate and are not required for this application.
Test it
Check both modes
- Reconnect your hoses and turn the tap on.
- Set the lever to Bypass — water should flow straight through, unfiltered.
- Set the lever to Filter — water now passes through the resin.
- Check around the head and connectors for leaks.
- Test the output with your TDS meter in Filter mode.
Using it day to day
Get the most resin life out of every wash.
Everyday use
Best practice
- Run Bypass for the main wash — normal tap water with your detergent.
- Switch to Filter for the final rinse only. This is what makes your resin last.
- When switching from bypass to filter, flush the tap water out of your hose before starting the final rinse.
- Leave the lever on Bypass between washes so water stays in the tank and air stays out.
Bypass head questions
What buyers ask us most about the Tank Head With Bypass.
Does bypass mode extend resin life?
Dramatically. Resin is only consumed while water flows through it, and the final rinse is a small fraction of what a full wash uses. Running only the final rinse through the tank in Filter mode makes the resin last many times longer than putting the whole wash through it — that's the entire point of a DI tank bypass.
Will this tank head fit other brands' tanks?
It's designed as a direct replacement for Spot Free Rinse tank heads. It may not be compatible with other systems — thread and riser specifications vary between brands — so if you're fitting it to anything else, contact us first and we'll confirm whether it will work.
Why does the lever show four positions?
This style of head is also used on other water systems, so the lever is moulded with Filter, Bypass, Fast Rinse and Backwash. On this unit only Filter and Bypass are active — the Fast Rinse and Backwash ports are blocked off because they aren't needed for spot-free rinsing. Buying for an actual water softener? We can set it up that way for you.
