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

Key points from the video:

• 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.

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.

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.

Your Own Intensity Control Dial

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.

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

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