What is the Ella Flow 28x48 walk-in tub and what does it include?

The Ella Flow is the smallest walk-in tub Ella's Bubbles makes, a 28 inch wide by 48 inch long acrylic tub designed as a space saver for small to average size bathers and for bathrooms where a larger tub will not go. It ships as a complete hydro massage tub with 16 jets, an in-line water heater and an intensity dial, the 2-piece fast-fill faucet with a pull-out hand shower, a single 2 inch gravity drain with an emergency pull-up chain, and the same inward-swing acrylic S-shape inward-swing door used on the Standard and Zen. The one requirement that sets it apart is electrical: the Flow runs on a dedicated 15 amp GFCI line, where most other Ella tubs specify 20 amps.

Size, Seat and Water

The current spec sheet puts the Flow at 28 inches wide, 48 inches long and 36.5 inches tall. The seat is 20 inches wide and 13 inches long, and the dimension drawing shows a foot well of 16 1/2 by 22 1/2 inches, which is where the lower leg jets do their work. Full of water with nobody in it, the tub holds 65 gallons. With a bather seated the working volume is 30 to 50 gallons, which is the figure that matters when you think about your water heater.

• Actual size: 28 inches wide by 48 inches long by 36.5 inches tall.
• Seat: 20 inches wide by 13 inches long.
• Water: 65 gallons unoccupied, 30 to 50 gallons occupied.
• Weight: 210 pounds net, 310 pounds shipping, in a 32 by 54 by 49 inch crate.

The Flow product video on this page walks around the tub and makes the two points that matter most in a small bathroom. First, the presenter says the tub fits through a 28 inch doorway, so it can reach rooms a wider tub cannot. Second, the Flow comes with an extension panel, a filler piece that lets the 48 inch tub sit neatly in a standard 60 inch tub alcove, plus a removable end panel on the faucet side. Because the door swings into the tub, nothing needs to clear the floor in front of it, which is the other reason this platform suits tight rooms. Like every Ella tub it has a low threshold and a textured floor, and the video points out the bright, sleek acrylic finish that is easy to clean.

The Hydro Massage System

The Flow's therapy package is hydro massage, and it is included rather than optional. The spec sheet lists an 8.1 amp, 900 watt hydro massage pump feeding 16 jets, a 6 amp, 650 watt in-line water heater that keeps the circulating water warm during a long soak, a push control to switch the system on and off, and an intensity dial. The video describes the jetting as strategically placed foot and calf jets for lower leg massage, working together with the seat and back jets Ella is known for.

The intensity dial is the control owners ask about most, and the second video on this page shows how it works on every Ella hydro tub. Turning the dial up introduces more air into the jet stream for a stronger flow, and turning it down reduces the air for a gentler flow, so the same tub can suit a bather who wants a firm massage and one who wants a soft swirl. The video also notes why warm hydro massage feels so good: warm water loosens tight muscles, and the water's buoyancy takes weight off painful joints. The spec sheet lists no air massage system for the Flow. The only optional feature printed on the sheet is a heated seat and backrest rated at 4 amps, and the video mentions an optional removable head and neck support for extra comfort.

Faucet, Drain and Panels

The Flow fills through Ella's 2-piece fast-fill faucet set. It has a solid brass chrome spout with a single lever, a diverter button under the spout that sends water to the pull-out hand shower, and two 3/4 inch by 5 foot braided stainless supply lines in the box. The hand shower has 5 spray settings, is limited to 1.9 gallons per minute, rides on a 5 foot braided hose with a back-flow prevention valve, and comes in chrome or brushed nickel. The set is designed for 16 gallons per minute at 60 PSI with ideal plumbing, so your real fill time depends on your house. What Is a Fast-Fill Faucet on a Walk-In Tub? explains the set in detail, and if the tub takes much longer than expected, Why Does My Walk-In Tub Fill So Slowly? walks through the shutoffs and supply lines to check. Shutoff valves are not included with the tub, so plan accessible ones near it.

Draining is simple on this platform. There is one 2 inch PVC gravity drain and one overflow, and the drain plug sits on a short chain: pull the chain to open the drain, and set the plug back in the opening before the next fill. What Is the Emergency Pull-Up Chain on a Walk-In Tub? covers how to keep the plug sealing well. Under the tub the drain sits on a T-type body with connectable ports on either side, so your installer can run the house drain from whichever side suits the room and cap the unused port with the cap that ships with the tub. The video calls this the dual port oversized drain. It is still a single drain, and What Is a 4-Port T-Type Drain on a Walk-In Tub? explains why the four-port wording on the sheet describes the drain body rather than extra drains. PVC connections to the house drain are not included, and reducers may adapt smaller pipes.

For panels and trim, the spec sheet lists a gloss white acrylic shell reinforced with fiberglass gel coat, a stainless steel frame with adjustable leveling legs, one removable front apron, a removable end panel covering the faucet, and the extension panel for 60 inch alcoves. No grab bar or towel bar is listed on the Flow's sheet, so if you want either, raise it with your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 before you order.

Electrical and Planning Notes for Your Contractor

• Power: one dedicated 110/120 volt, 60 Hz line with a 15 amp GFCI protected standard three-prong outlet. Tell your electrician this figure specifically, because it differs from the 20 amp requirement printed for most other Ella models.
• Level the frame: the inward door seals against a square frame, so every leveling leg must touch the floor. A tub that is not level can warp the frame and throw the door out of alignment.
• Alcove fit: the 48 inch tub plus the extension panel fills a 60 inch alcove, and the removable end panel covers the faucet end. Keep the front apron reachable for service.
• Hot water: the tub takes 65 gallons to fill, and the fill guide linked above recommends a 75 gallon or larger tank, or a tankless heater rated 11 gallons per minute or higher.
• Faucet cut-outs: the sheet calls for a 2 1/2 inch diameter hole for the faucet and a 7/8 inch diagonal hole for the hand shower.

The Flow carries Ella's lifetime limited warranty on parts to the original purchaser. Labor and installation are not covered, so parts ship under the warranty while a local licensed plumber or electrician does the work. For any question about your tub, have your serial number ready and open a request at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850.

Watch: Walk-In Tub With Hydro Massage Control Dial, Customize Your Comfort | Ella’s Bubbles with chapters and a full transcript.

Related Guides

• Why Does the Ella Flow Call for a 15 Amp GFCI Outlet Instead of 20 Amp?
• Ella Flow 28x48 vs Petite 28x52: which 28 inch tub is better?
• Ella Flow 28x48: The Tub That Fits a 28 Inch Doorway

Common Questions