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Independent Foot Massage: A Foot Spa Without Filling the Whole Tub

Updated September 2026

▶Glossary8
  1. A Foot Spa in Minutes, Without Filling the Tub
  2. How to Run Only the Foot Jets
  3. Why the Separate Pump Design Matters
  4. Your Own Intensity Control Dial
  5. Which Models Offer It, and the Electrical Picture
  6. Where the In-Line Heater Fits in
  7. Related Guides
  8. Common Questions

Independent foot massage is one of the most loved therapy options on Ella walk-in tubs, because it gives you a genuine foot spa without filling the whole tub. Fill just the foot well to just below the seat and just above the calf jets, press the foot massage button, and a relaxing therapeutic foot massage is only minutes away. It runs on its own dedicated pump with its own intensity dial, so it never borrows power from the seat jets. This article explains how the option works, why Ella's separate pump design matters, which models offer it, and how the in-line heater fits in.

A Foot Spa in Minutes, Without Filling the Tub

Independent Foot Massage on Ella Walk-In Tubs
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Independent Foot Massage Option The video introduces the new independent foot massage option on Ella's Bubbles walk-in tubs.
  2. 0:17 Enjoy Hydro Foot Massage Customers can enjoy a luxurious hydro foot massage without filling the entire tub.
  3. 0:39 Powerful Hydro Massage Jets Four dedicated foot jets and two calf jets deliver a powerful hydro massage.
  4. 1:03 Therapeutic Foot Massage Benefits This feature is a must-have for anyone who enjoys the therapeutic benefits of a warm, relaxing foot massage.

Key points from the video: Watch: Independent Foot Massage In A Walk In Tub - Safe & Comfortable Bathing Ella's Bubbles with chapters and a full transcript.

  • With the fast fill faucet, there is no need to fill the whole tub to enjoy a luxurious hydro foot massage. Fill the foot well and you are minutes away from a foot spa.
  • A separate control dial lets you adjust the intensity of the foot jet stream independently of everything else.
  • The foot massage is driven by its own dedicated pump, delivering a powerful hydro massage to dedicated foot and calf jets. On the model featured in the video that is four foot jets and two calf jets, and exact jet placement varies by model, so check your model's spec sheet for the count on your tub.
Woman reading a book while soaking her feet in the footwell of an Ella Capri walk-in tub with independent foot massage
With independent foot massage you fill only the footwell and enjoy a foot spa without a full bath.

How to Run Only the Foot Jets

  1. Sit down, close and lock the door, and close both drains.
  2. Fill the footwell to just below the seat and just above the calf jets, so every foot and calf jet is covered. Our water level article shows the levels for each system.
  3. Touch the foot massage button once. Its own pump starts and the seat jets stay off.
  4. Set the strength with the foot massage intensity dial.
  5. Touch the button again to stop, then open both drains.

This only applies to tubs built with the independent foot option. On a tub with a single hydro pump, the foot jets are part of the main hydro system, the seat jets run whenever the pump runs, and the tub must be filled 2 inches above the highest jets before the pump starts.

Why the Separate Pump Design Matters

When you order an Ella walk-in tub with independent foot massage and full body hydro massage, you get two separate pumps, one for the seat jets and one for the foot jets. Many competitors use a single pump with a diverter valve that robs power from one side to feed the other, which creates a weaker, inconsistent flow. With two pumps you can run full power to just your feet, or full power to your entire body, and control the intensity on each side with its own dial.

Separate Pumps for Every System on Ella Walk-In Tubs
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Independent Pumps For Each System Ella's Bubbles installs a separate pump for each individual system, including back jets, foot jets, air jets, and MicroBubble.
  2. 0:23 Diverter Valve Limitations Some bathtubs use a small plastic diverter to direct flow between foot jets and back jets, reducing volume from one when the other is active.
  3. 0:52 Ella's Bubbles Independent Pumps Ella's Bubbles walk-in tubs provide independent pumps and motors for increased pressure and easier control, allowing all systems to operate simultaneously.

This walkthrough makes the same point from the installer's side: Ella installs a separate pump for each individual system, whether back jets, foot jets, air jets, or microbubbles. Because each system has its own pump and motor, and the tub is wired correctly for it, you can operate all of your systems at the same time. There is no small plastic diverter on the front of the tub quietly trading flow between your back and your feet. Watch: Experience True Relaxation with Independent Foot Massage Pumps for Walk-In Tubs with chapters and a full transcript.

Two Separate Pumps Explained
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Independent Foot And Body Massage Ella's Bubbles walk-in tubs offer independent foot massage and full body hydro massage for powerful therapy.
  2. 0:21 Competitor Single Pump System Competitors use one pump and a diverter valve, which creates a weaker and inconsistent flow.
  3. 0:36 Control Intensity With Dials With two pumps, you can run full power to your feet or body and control intensity with dials.

This buyer's guide clip explains the two-pump layout once more and why it makes the foot massage feel so much stronger than a diverter-based system. Watch: Best Walk-In Tub with Independent Foot Massage (Buyers Guide) with chapters and a full transcript.

Your Own Intensity Control Dial

The Ella Ultimate Fully Loaded Walk-In Tub
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Independent Foot Massage The ultimate walk-in tub offers an independent foot massage with its own intensity control and pump.
  2. 0:36 Innovative Jetting Design Ella's tubs feature innovative jetting designs, including hydro massage with an inline heater and three-speed air massage with auto purge.
  3. 1:18 Dual Drain Technology Ella's walk-in tubs are equipped with dual oversized two-inch drains for fast and efficient drainage.
  4. 1:30 Patented Swivel Tray The ultimate tub includes Ella's patented 360-degree swivel tray, providing a convenient place for your items.

On tubs with independent foot massage, such as the fully loaded Ultimate shown above, the foot system has its own intensity control dial and its own separate pump, so you can enjoy the luxury of a foot massage without filling the entire tub and tune its strength without touching the seat jets. If a dial feels stiff or you want to adjust individual foot jet nozzles, our guide to jet and intensity dial adjustment shows exactly how. Watch: The Ultimate: Fully Loaded Luxury Walk-In Tub with chapters and a full transcript.

Overhead view of the Ella Ultimate walk-in tub showing the air jets, hydro jets and dedicated foot and calf jets in the footwell
The Ultimate's footwell has its own foot and calf jets on a dedicated pump.

Which Models Offer It, and the Electrical Picture

Per the current therapy schematic, the air plus hydro plus independent hydro foot massage package is available on the Royal, Monaco, Elite, Capri, Shak, Transfer60, Transfer32, and TransferXXL, and the Ultimate comes fully loaded with independent foot massage as standard. Availability is set per therapy package, so your model's product page and spec sheet are the surest reference, our guide to therapy combinations by model shows where it fits, and our team is happy to confirm options before you order.

  • Triple massage configurations require two dedicated, GFCI protected 120 volt 20 amp wall outlets. Plan this with your electrician using the electrical requirements by model.
  • The seat hydro circuit and the foot hydro circuit each have their own pump and their own intensity dial, which also means they are diagnosed separately if anything ever acts up.

Where the In-Line Heater Fits in

On configurations with independent foot massage, the in-line water heater attaches to the hydro foot massage pump. The heater maintains, rather than raises, your bath temperature, and it only works while the pump it is attached to is running. So on these tubs, running the foot massage is what keeps the heater working for you. For the full picture, see our article on how the in-line water heater maintains temperature.

Common Questions

Can I fill just to my ankles and run the foot jets?
Yes, on an Ella walk-in tub with the independent foot massage option, you can fill just to your ankles and run the foot jets. To do this, fill the footwell to just below the seat and just above the calf jets, ensuring every foot and calf jet is covered, then press the foot massage button. This allows you to enjoy a foot spa without filling the entire tub.
Will running only the foot jets hurt the upper jets?
No, running only the foot jets will not hurt the upper jets on Ella walk-in tubs equipped with the independent foot massage option. This is because the seat jets are on a separate, dedicated pump that remains off when only the foot jets are activated. On a full-hydro tub without the independent foot massage option, the single pump feeds every jet, so the tub must be filled fully, at least 2 inches above the highest jets, before starting the pump to prevent damage.
I only have one hydro button. Can foot and back run separately?
No, if your Ella walk-in tub has only one hydro button, the foot and back jets cannot run separately. One hydro button indicates a single hydro pump system that feeds both the seat and foot jets simultaneously. In this configuration, both sets of jets will run together, and the tub requires a full fill, at least 2 inches above the highest jets, before the pump can be started.
Which tubs offer independent foot massage?
The independent foot massage option is standard on the Ella Ultimate walk-in tub. It is also offered as part of the triple massage package on several other models, including the Royal, Monaco, Elite, Capri, Shak, Transfer60, Transfer32, and TransferXXL. For the most accurate information on availability for your specific model, please confirm with the Ella's Bubbles team or refer to your model's product page and spec sheet.
Can I run the foot massage together with the seat jets?
Yes, you can run the independent foot massage together with the seat jets on Ella walk-in tubs that have both systems. To do this, fill the tub 2 inches above the highest jets to ensure all jets are submerged. You can then run both the foot massage pump and the seat jet pump at full power simultaneously, controlling the intensity of each system with its own dedicated dial.
The foot pump stopped but the relay clicks when I press the button.
A click means the button and its air tube are working, so the fault is in the foot pump circuit: the relay output, the pump or its plug. Check the pump's GFCI outlet and cord, then open a ticket with your serial number and a short video and the team will guide the next step. Our pump troubleshooting guide lists the checks.
Can independent foot massage be added to my tub later?
No, the independent foot massage option cannot be added to your Ella walk-in tub later. The second pump, its dedicated jets, and its intensity control dial are integrated into the tub's design and built at the factory. Therefore, you must choose the therapy package that includes independent foot massage when you initially order your walk-in tub.
Which pump is the in-line heater on when I have independent foot massage?
When your Ella walk-in tub has the independent foot massage option, the in-line water heater is attached to the hydro foot massage pump. The heater is designed to maintain, rather than raise, your bath temperature and only operates while the pump it is connected to is running. Therefore, running the foot massage is what keeps the in-line heater working to maintain the water temperature in these tubs; if the bath cools during a seat-jets-only session, you can switch the foot massage on as well.
Can foot jets be adjusted individually?
Yes, the foot jets on Ella walk-in tubs with independent foot massage can be adjusted individually. The center nozzle of each foot jet turns to allow you to adjust its specific flow. Additionally, the dedicated foot massage intensity dial sets the overall strength of the entire foot jet system.

Still need help? Our team is always happy to assist. Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850.

About this guide. Answers in the Ella’s Bubbles Support Center are compiled from real conversations with tub owners, our technicians’ notes and the product documentation, then reviewed by our team. Tub models and options have evolved over the years, so a detail here may differ slightly from your exact tub. If something looks different on yours, send us your serial number and a specialist will confirm it for your model.

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