Hydro massage jets, also called hydrotherapy jets, water jets or whirlpool jets, are the water jets in an Ella walk-in tub that are fed by a pump recirculating your bath water. They deliver a deep, targeted massage to the back, hips, legs and feet, with the strength set by the intensity dial on the deck. The gentler air massage system is covered in hydro massage vs air massage.

How It Works

When you press the Water button, the hydro pump draws bath water in through the inlet cover and pushes it out through the jets. The in-line heater and the ozone generator both run automatically with the hydro pump: the heater holds the water at the temperature you filled it, and the ozone sterilizes the water as it circulates. The intensity dial is an air control on a small hose rather than an electrical part; turning it adds or removes air in the water stream to make the massage firmer or softer. Many hydro jets can be aimed, and the foot jet nozzles opened, reduced or closed by turning the center, as shown in our jet adjustment article.

Which Ella Models Have It

Hydro massage runs across the Ella line, from the hydro-only Standard, Zen and Flow to the two-seat tubs. Jet counts belong to the package, not the model name. The Standard ships with 18 hydro jets on an 8.1A 900W pump (model profile). The Elite's hydro package has 16 jets, 10 in the seat and 6 in the foot area (model profile). On the Transfer family, the Hydro Massage package lists 22 jets, 16 seat and 6 foot (model profile). Tubs with independent foot massage add a second pump and dial for the foot and calf jets. The full table is in jet counts by model and package.

What to Know as an Owner

Fill the tub 1 to 2 inches above the highest hydro jet before starting the pump; running a pump dry causes permanent damage that is not covered by warranty. Our water level guide shows the mark for each system. Once a month, and any time the jets feel weak or debris appears, run the vinegar flush: 2 cups white vinegar with 2 cups water, fill 1 inch above the highest jets, run for 10 minutes and drain. Clean the pump inlet cover at the same time, and skip bath bombs, which clog the jets.

If the pump will not start, the pump troubleshooting article lists the first checks. For a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support, have your therapy package name, which jets are affected, the intensity dial position, the water level you used and your model and serial number.

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