Common Questions About Operating Your Walk-In Tub
Updated September 2026
Most questions about operating a walk-in tub have short, verified answers, and this page collects the common questions about operating your Ella's Bubbles walk-in tub in one place. The essentials: the water button runs the hydro jets, the air button steps through three speeds starting at high, the light button runs the LED and turns off with a two second hold, the water must be 2 inches above the highest jets before the hydro pump runs, and a tub that starts itself 20 minutes after your bath is the air system cleaning its lines.
Chapters in this video
- 0:00 Push Controls Versus Digital Touchpad Ella's Bubbles walk-in tubs offer a choice between on/off push controls and a digital touchpad for easy bathing.
- 0:45 Controlling Air Massage With Touchpad The air bubble icon on the digital touchpad activates the air massage, with plus and minus buttons adjusting intensity.
- 1:21 Chromo Therapy Light Functions Chromo therapy light functions the same with both control types, cycling through colors or selecting a specific one.
Watch: Walk-In Tub with Push Controls & Digital Touchpad for Easy, Effortless Bathing with chapters and a full transcript.
The video shows both control styles. With the on/off push controls, a gentle push starts each system: touch the air button once for high speed, a second time for medium, a third time for low and a fourth time to shut off. The hydro massage starts with one touch of the water button, and its strength is set with the intensity control dial; turning the dial up introduces more air into the jet stream for a stronger flow, turning it down gives a gentler flow. On the digital touchpad, touch the air bubble icon once to start, use plus and minus to change intensity, and hold the icon for two seconds to stop; press the hydro button once to start and once again to stop. Chromatherapy works the same on both: press once for the full range of colors, repeat single presses to select a color, and hold for two seconds to turn the light off.
Buttons and Controls
Which button does what on the walk-in tub control panel?
Water is hydro massage, Air is the three-speed air massage, Light is LED chromatherapy, Micro is microbubbles when fitted, and tubs with independent foot massage have a separate foot button and a second dial. Our push controls versus digital touchpad article has pictures of both panels.
My buttons have no labels. Is that normal?
Yes. Some models, including Transfer and legacy units, ship with unlabeled push controls. Identify them by what happens: one press of the air button gives high-speed air, the water button starts the hydro pump, the light button cycles colors.
What order do the air speeds come in?
First press high, second medium, third low, fourth off. This applies to every Ella three-speed air control, including older Transfer units. If your speeds seem reversed, count presses from off and pick the one you prefer; the fourth press always shuts the system down.
How hard do I press?
You should press the buttons gently. Pushing too hard or too deep can damage the internal mechanism of your Ella's Bubbles walk-in tub. A soft push with the palm of the hand works well for bathers with arthritis or limited mobility.
The dial does nothing but the pump runs.
The intensity dial on your walk-in tub is an air control on a hose, not an electrical switch. If turning the dial changes nothing but the hydro pump still runs, you should check the air hose connection at the pump. This connection ensures the dial can properly introduce air into the jet stream.
How do I turn the light off?
To turn off the chromatherapy light, press and hold the light button for two seconds. A single press of the light button will cycle through the full range of colors. Repeated single presses will allow you to select and lock one of the solid colors.
Water Level and the Foot Jets
How high should the water be before I turn on the jets?
Two inches above the highest jets before the hydro pump goes on, and every air jet covered before the air massage starts. Running a pump without water above its jets causes permanent damage that the warranty does not cover. Our water level article has the full detail.
Can I run the foot jets with only the footwell filled?
Yes, on tubs with the independent foot massage option. It has its own pump, button and dial. Fill the footwell to just below the seat and just above the calf jets, then touch the foot massage button. Tubs with a single hydro pump need the full fill.
Things That Happen on Their Own
Chapters in this video
- 0:00 Air Massage Speed Control The video demonstrates how to control the three-speed air massage function on the walk-in tub.
- 0:23 Auto Purge System Explained The video explains how the auto purge system keeps the walk-in tub fresh and clean by blowing water out of the air pipes.
- 0:48 Auto Purge While Bathing The video addresses what happens if the auto purge system activates while someone is still in the tub.
This video shows the air massage speeds in order, then explains what happens after you shut the air pump off: some water flows back into the pipes, and 20 minutes later Auto Purge restarts the pump for two minutes to blow the lines dry. It may start while you are still in the tub, which is not a fault; drain and exit normally if you need to. Watch: Voted Best Walk-In Tub in 2020 With Air Massage & Auto Purge Function with chapters and a full transcript.
Why did the tub turn on after my bath?
That is Auto Purge. Twenty minutes after the air pump is turned off, the air system restarts by itself and runs for 120 seconds to blow residual water out of the air lines. It cannot be stopped or retimed, it is normal even if you are still in the tub, and you can drain and exit as usual while it runs.
Why does it hum when nothing is on?
If your Ella's Bubbles walk-in tub hums when nothing is actively running, this is due to the ozone sterilization system. This system runs with the hydro pump and makes a light humming noise when it is on by itself. This is normal operation for the ozone sterilization feature.
Does the heater warm the bath?
The in-line water heater in your Ella's Bubbles walk-in tub maintains the temperature you set at the faucet, but only while the hydro pump runs. It does not heat cold water. Therefore, you should fill the tub at the desired temperature, and the heater will help keep it there during your bath.
Why did the heated seat turn off?
The heated seat and backrest on your walk-in tub has a 20-minute timer and will turn off automatically. To restart it, simply press its button once. For the warmest start, turn the heated seat on 10 to 15 minutes before you get into the tub. For more details, refer to the heated seat and backrest article.
Door and Posture
Why will the door not open after my bath?
By design, the door stays closed until the tub is completely drained. Inward-swing doors are also held shut by water pressure. Open both drains fully, wait, then unlock. This is not a fault; our article on why the door will not open until the tub drains explains it.
Can I lie down in the tub?
Walk-in tubs are designed for seated bathing, and lying down is not recommended as it could be hazardous. The reclined seat allows the upper body to be immersed comfortably. Ella's Bubbles offers two specific LayDown models for bathers who prefer to lie flat during their bath.
Can I run more than one therapy at once?
Yes, you can run more than one therapy at once on your Ella's Bubbles walk-in tub. The Ultimate guide video demonstrates running all the pumps together for a full hydro and air massage. Remember that the water level rule applies to every jet that will be running, ensuring all jets are covered by at least two inches of water.
Common Questions
The jets feel weak.
If your hydro jets feel weak, turn the intensity dial up to add more air into the jet stream, which will increase the flow. If the jets are weak after months of use, you should run the vinegar flush and clean the pump inlet cover. These steps are described in the cleaning and monthly maintenance article.
The air jets purge but do not start when I press the button.
If your air jets purge but do not start when you press the button, the fact that the purge system is working indicates the air pump has power. The likely cause is a problem with the push control or its air tube. You should open a ticket with your serial number and a short video, and the support team will guide you through checking the system.
Where do I find my model and serial number?
You can find your walk-in tub's model and serial number on a label. Our article on finding model and serial numbers shows where this label is located on each family of Ella's Bubbles walk-in tubs. This information is important for support inquiries.
Can I change the timing of the Auto Purge?
No, you cannot change the timing of the Auto Purge system. The 20-minute delay before it starts and its two-minute run time are fixed in the control box. If Auto Purge starts while someone is still in the tub, simply let it run; it will stop on its own after two minutes.
What do I do before the very first bath?
Flush the pump circulation system: mix 2 cups of white vinegar with 2 cups of water, fill the tub to 1 inch above the highest jets, add the mixture, run the jets for 10 minutes and drain. Our first bath checklist walks through it.
Is there a demonstration video for first-time users?
Yes, there are demonstration videos available for first-time users. The two videos on this page show every button on both control styles, including push controls and the digital touchpad. Additionally, the Ultimate walk-in tub guide follows a complete bath experience from stepping in to stepping out.
Can I use bath salts, oils or bubble bath with the jets?
Fully dissolved Epsom salts are fine for a soak after the jets have finished running. However, bath bombs, oils, and fragrance oils are not recommended for use in any jetted tub. These substances can clog the jets and potentially damage the pumps of your Ella's Bubbles walk-in tub.
The pumps click at the relay but nothing runs when the tub is full.
Confirm each cord is plugged into its own live GFCI outlet and that no breaker has tripped, then try the control box reset. If the relays click but the pumps stay silent, open a ticket with your serial number and a short video.
The pumps will not shut off when I press the button.
A pump that keeps running, or starts as soon as the tub gets power, usually has a pneumatic button or air tube problem. Pull the small tube off the button, blow gently through it, refit it firmly at both ends and try the control box reset. If it still runs, switch the circuit off and open a ticket with your serial number.
Can a heated seat and back be added to my tub order?
A heated seat and back can be added to any standard order at the standard option cost. Clearance or fixed units are sold as is and are not modified with added options. Check with your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 to see what's available on your specific order.
Do microbubbles provide a massage like the hydro and air jets?
Microbubbles exfoliate the skin rather than providing a massage, making them a different type of therapy from the hydro and air jets. Microbubble therapy can be run on its own on Ella's Bubbles tubs that are equipped with this specific option. It offers a unique skin-cleansing experience.
What therapy options does Ella's Bubbles offer on its walk-in tubs?
Ella's Bubbles tubs can be equipped with hydro massage, air and hydro massage, hydro with microbubble therapy, or hydro with independent foot massage. Each therapy type is run using the same push controls or digital touchpad described above.
Do the therapy systems need separate installation after the tub arrives?
No, therapy systems are plug-in and come fully assembled with the tub, so no separate installation is needed. Once your tub is in place, the therapy options are ready to use through the push controls or digital touchpad.
Is Auto Purge draining water from the tub or pushing air?
Auto Purge does not drain or move your bath water. The air blower switches on and pushes air through the air jets to clear residual water out of the air lines. It runs on its own about 20 minutes after the air pump is turned off and stops by itself after two minutes.
Can I set a specific hot or cold temperature on the inline heater?
No, the inline heater has no temperature setting of its own. It simply helps hold the water at the temperature you filled the tub with while the hydro jets are running and the water recirculates. Fill the tub at the temperature you want, and the heater will help keep it there during your massage.
Where are the hydro massage jets located on the tub?
The hydro massage pushes water into the tub through strategically placed jets at your back, hips and feet, much like a spa or Jacuzzi style bath. On tubs with the independent foot massage option, a second water pump feeds the upper and lower jets so the foot area gets more pressure.
Is there a pressure control for the hydro jets?
Yes. The hydro jets always start at high pressure when you switch them on. You can turn them down with the minus button on the digital touchpad or with the chrome dials on top of the tub, depending on which control style your tub has.
For anything model-specific, open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850 and the team will be glad to help.
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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