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What Is Independent Foot Massage on a Walk-In Tub?

Updated September 2026

▶Glossary5
  1. How It Works
  2. Which Ella Models Have It
  3. What to Know as an Owner
  4. Related Guides
  5. Common Questions

Independent foot massage is a therapy option on Ella walk-in tubs that gives the foot and calf jets their own dedicated hydro pump and their own intensity dial. Because the foot jets no longer depend on the seat jets, you can fill only the footwell and enjoy a foot spa without filling the whole tub. Ella also calls it the Hydro Foot package, and the full story is in Independent Foot Massage: A Foot Spa Without Filling the Whole Tub.

How It Works

A tub built with this option has two separate hydro pumps, one for the seat jets and one for the foot jets, each with its own push button and its own intensity dial. There is no diverter valve robbing power from one side to feed the other, so each system gets full flow. On these configurations the in-line heater is attached to the foot massage pump, so it helps hold the water temperature while the foot jets run.

For a foot-only session, close the door and the drains, fill the footwell to just below the seat and just above the calf jets so every foot and calf jet is covered, then press the foot button and set the strength with the foot dial. For a full massage, fill the tub 1 to 2 inches above the highest seat jet and run both pumps. Our water level guide shows both marks.

Woman reading a book while soaking her feet in an Ella Capri walk-in tub with the foot massage jets running
With independent foot massage, only the footwell needs to be filled for a foot spa.

Which Ella Models Have It

Per the current Air + Hydro + Independent Foot Massage schematic, the option is available on the Royal, Monaco, Elite, Capri, Shak, Transfer60, Transfer32 and TransferXXL, and it is standard on the Ultimate. Triple packages that combine air, hydro and independent foot massage require two dedicated GFCI 120V 20A outlets. Therapy combinations by model lists every pairing.

What to Know as an Owner

The second pump, its jets and its dial are built in at the factory, so independent foot massage cannot be added later; decide with your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 before the order is placed. Never start either pump until its jets are under water, because a pump run dry is permanently damaged and not covered by warranty. Keep the monthly vinegar flush going for both circuits. The in-line heater article explains why the water stays warm but is never heated from cold.

Because the seat and foot systems are independent, one can run while the other does not. If that happens, note which button, pump and dial are affected before you open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support, along with your model and serial number and therapy package. Owners of two-seat tubs can compare symptoms in two-seat tub: one side not working.

Common Questions

Can I get a foot massage without filling the whole tub?
Yes, on tubs built with independent foot massage. Fill the footwell to just below the seat and just above the calf jets, press the foot button and adjust the foot dial. A single-pump tub must be filled above the highest jet first.
Does independent foot massage need a second electrical line?
Yes, triple therapy packages that combine air, hydro, and independent foot massage require two dedicated GFCI 120V 20A electrical outlets. This is because a tub built with independent foot massage has two separate hydro pumps, one for the seat jets and one for the foot jets. The electrical requirements for each configuration are detailed in the electrical requirements article.
Can I add independent foot massage to my tub later?
No, independent foot massage cannot be added to your Ella walk-in tub later. The second hydro pump, its dedicated foot and calf jets, and its intensity dial are all built into the tub at the factory. Therefore, this therapy option must be decided with your Ella dealer or the team before your original order is placed.
Which button runs the foot jets?
The foot massage button starts the dedicated foot pump for the foot and calf jets, and the foot intensity dial sets the strength of the foot massage. The seat jets remain off until you press the Water button, which activates the main hydro pump for the seat jets. This independent system allows you to run one while the other does not.
Does the water stay warm during a foot-only massage?
Yes, the water stays warm during a foot-only massage on Ella walk-in tubs with independent foot massage. On these configurations, the in-line heater is attached to the foot massage pump, which helps maintain the water temperature while the foot jets run. It is important to note that the in-line heater holds the heat of the water you filled the tub with; it does not warm cold water.

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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