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.
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
The push controls are pneumatic and need only a gentle press.Which button does what?
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?
Gently. Pushing too hard or too deep can damage the internal mechanism. 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 is an air control on a hose, not an electrical switch. If turning it changes nothing, the air hose connection at the pump is the thing to check.
How do I turn the light off?
Press and hold the light button for two seconds. A single press cycles colors, and repeated single presses lock one of the solid colors.
The intensity dial adds or removes air from the jet stream.
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
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.
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?
Ozone sterilization. It runs with the hydro pump and makes a light humming noise when it is on by itself. Normal.
Does the heater warm the bath?
The in-line water heater maintains the temperature you set at the faucet, and only while the hydro pump runs. It does not heat cold water, so fill at the temperature you want.
Why did the heated seat turn off?
It has a 20 minute timer. Press its button once to restart it, and turn it on 10 to 15 minutes before you get in for the warmest start. See the heated seat and backrest.
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 and could be hazardous. The reclined seat lets the upper body be immersed. Ella offers two LayDown models for bathers who want to lie flat.
Can I run more than one therapy at once?
Yes. Ella's Ultimate guide video runs all the pumps together for a full hydro and air massage, and the water level rule applies to every jet that will be running.
Common Questions
The jets feel weak.
Turn the intensity dial up to add air to the stream. If they are weak after months of use, run the vinegar flush and clean the pump inlet cover, as described in our cleaning and monthly maintenance article.
The air jets purge but do not start when I press the button.
Purge working shows the air pump has power; the push control or its air tube is the likely cause. Open a ticket with your serial number and a short video and the team will guide the check.
No. The 20 minute delay and two minute run are fixed in the control box. If it starts while someone is still washing, simply let it run; it stops on its own.
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. The two videos on this page show every button on both control styles, and the Ultimate walk-in tub guide follows a complete bath 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 are finished. Bath bombs, oils and fragrance oils are not recommended in any jetted tub because they can clog jets and damage pumps.
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.
For anything model-specific, open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850 and the team will be glad to help.
Videos