This page follows the Ella Standard Acrylic Walk-In Bathtub Owner's Manual (24 pages, dated 3/22/23) in the manual's own order, from opening the crate to the operations pages. The Zen manual is the same document with a different cover, and the Ella Flow manual (dated 6/13/23) follows the same sequence with the differences called out below. The manual calls the platform "Ella Economy," and its single drain, front legs and side panel cut appear in no other Ella manual.

Three Manuals, One Platform

The Standard, Zen and Flow all use an inward-swing acrylic S-shape door, a single 2 inch gravity drain and push-control hydro massage. The Zen manual's content pages are pixel-identical to the Standard manual. If a Zen spec sheet says "U-shape" door, that is a misprint; the Zen door is the same S-shape door as the Standard. Model profiles: Standard and Standard60 profile, Zen and Zen60 profile and Flow profile.

Unpacking the Crate: Two People for the Cover

1. Record any crate damage on the shipper's delivery document, signed by the driver.
2. Unscrew all of the control screws to remove the cover from the pallet.
3. The manual prints this in capitals: "DO NOT ATTEMPT TO LIFT THE COVER ON YOUR OWN, AT LEAST 2 PEOPLE ARE REQUIRED."
4. Keep the crate and pallet until installation is complete.

Panel Removal with Screw Caps and a Phillips Screwdriver

1. Pop the screw caps off the large access panel and the end panel.
2. Unscrew each panel with a Phillips head screwdriver and lift it off its brackets.
3. Remove the end panels before moving; the manual warns that jets on the bottom of the tub can be damaged otherwise.
4. Lift and carry only by the frame.

Safety, GFCI and the Push-Control Air Pipe Warning

The safety pages match the rest of the Ella line: licensed plumber and electrician, a dedicated GFCI-protected circuit, no electrical appliances within 3 feet, no hydro jets until water covers them, and the 100.4 degrees F warning. The Standard and Zen spec sheets call for one dedicated 110/120 V line with a 20 amp GFCI outlet. This manual then adds a warning the family manuals do not have, printed in capitals: make sure the air pipe connections to the push controls are properly tightened and that the push controls are functioning properly before finalizing installation. The push control is pneumatic, connected to an air hose through the shell with a back nut.

Water Test

1. Place the tub on a flat surface where it can drain and wipe the door seal with a clean rag and warm water.
2. Seal the drain with tape and fill to at least 3 inches above the highest jet.
3. Let the water stand 30 minutes and check all plumbing and seals.
4. Run the pump and heater on a properly rated three-prong extension cord for another 30 minutes and re-check the unions; a union that still leaks has a displaced O-ring or is over-tightened.

Single T-Type Drain: Above Floor and Below Floor

The manual states that "Ella Economy comes equipped with one (1) 2" gravity driven drain with (1) overflow and opener, one (1) emergency pull-up chain," under the heading Ella 2" T-Type Single Port Floor Drain (One Drain Included). The tub has one drain and one opener. Under it, the T-type drain body has ports facing both directions, so the house drain can connect to either or both, and the included end cap closes the unused port. The chain-operated plug must open completely to drain and close completely to hold water. Use a Y fitting rather than a T, and verify the house drain flows freely first. Below the floor, the legs let the tub drop, but the apron, end panel and drain will hit the floor, so subfloor access must be cut and the panels trimmed; the manual states the warranty will not cover parts altered this way. Fittings are in plumbing and drain configurations.

Front Legs Screwed into the Subfloor

The leveling page carries three rules unique to this platform: "The Front Legs Must Be Screwed Into Sub Floor To Assure Stability," all legs must be tightened firmly to floor level, and "There Must be no Gap Between the Floor and Leveling Legs." Every leg must touch with equal weight or the frame warps, the door misaligns, the seal leaks and the warranty is voided. The installer re-verifies the factory leveling, closes the door, and extends or shortens legs until it seals smoothly. The method is in the leveling guide.

Economy Extension Kit and the 3/8 Inch Side Panel Cut

The kit page is headed "Economy Dimensions: W x 29 1/2"L x 37"H" (the width value is not printed).

1. Install the three extension support brackets from the kit.
2. Clamp the extension panel to the tub shell, lining up the top and the front facade.
3. Pre-drill holes 3/8 inch wider than the mounting screws to allow final adjustment.
4. Mount the extension with the seven screws, washers and bolts.
5. Apply silicone or white caulk as needed.

Then the side panel: "Side panel has to be cut 3/8" to ensure flush fit against wall and proper side attachment with magnets." Tape the panel, mark a line 3/8 inch from top to bottom, clamp a metal straight edge, cut with a saw blade, then attach by placing the magnets on the frame against the tabs inside the panel. Kit comparisons are in extension panels and filler kits by model.

Flow Differences: 15 Amp Line, Velcro Side Panel

The Flow manual repeats every step above with three differences: the Flow spec sheet calls for one dedicated 110/120 V line with a 15 amp GFCI outlet, the side panel attaches with Velcro pressed onto the frame and the inside of the panel instead of magnets, and the operations pages describe the two-piece fast-fill faucet rather than the five-piece.

Operations Pages to Hand the Owner

Entering: the S-shape door swings inward with the handle inside; enter, remain standing, close the door, and never open it until the tub is completely drained. Faucet: red is hot, blue is cold, and the middle diverter sends water to the hand shower. Hydrotherapy: the "Water" push button starts the pump, the dial adjusts intensity, and the in-line heater runs automatically with the pump. The heated seat page is stamped "Optional not included." Before first use, flush the pump with 2 cups of white vinegar and 2 cups of water for 10 minutes. Both pages of the Warranty Activation Form must be completed; see activating your warranty.

Where This Differs from the Live Economy Platform Article

The economy platform installation tips collect the platform-specific steps for quick reference; this page follows the manual's own order from crate to operations. Where the older manual and the current spec sheet differ, the spec sheet wins.

This walkthrough sets the Standard into a 60 inch alcove with the faucet-side end panel and the 7 inch extension panel, trims the apron corner where needed, and shows the single plug shared by the hydro pump and heater, which still needs its own dedicated GFCI outlet and breaker.

Download the official document: Ella Standard Acrylic Walk-In Bathtub Owner's Manual

Common Questions