fleur do not be discouraged by failures of peat. more on that in a moment. I will start by stating I have no exp with hypertufa. That is what led me here. However as most things I do, I try to think of all things untried from a start on the foundation of physics (career habit). I think your suggested mix will be ok with 1 additional additive, a plasticizer. My first thought is with such a large percentage of perlite your mold will have a sever case of crumbling due to the excessive expanding and contracting of the perlite material. This type of activity is only 1 of many cuases for cement base products to crack but probably the most common. I would try starting with very small batches for something simple like maybe some coasters for the coffee table. Just add some felt or cork to the bottom for protection of the table. In my search on the web I have found tons of various lightweight cement ideas but the Hypertufa seems to be the most practical for home use. There are a lot of other lightweights out there but they employ special manufacturing technics that are not possible/practical for small scale use. On your problems with the peat. I have read that the best way to prepare the peat is to completely break it up and soak it in water for a few minutes then squeeze the excess water out before adding to the mix. Not sure how peat is sold in your area but for me it is sold in compressed blocks and if I took a small clump and tossed it in water it would simply float for hours. I have to literally pulverize it before use. I recall the first time I used peat was for a mulch and the water just flowed right off the bed. So I had to go thru the whole bed and rake it all out. I learned it wasn't good for mulch so I mixed it in the compost pile, it did wonders there. I don't mean to be harsh but I find it difficult to think you have done it all correctly when so many people have succeeded. Keep in mind curing is critical and curing all depends on both ambient temp and humidity plus the moister content of the mix. In my area the only successful crack free cement projects I have seen is when the project is continuously kept moist for several days. The real tragedy in that is I rarely see that done. I work in the construction field and most houses I go to have cracks in the driveways and often in the foundation yet the contractors seem to just consider it normal. I personally would never buy a home with foundation cracks when it is only a few days old.

I keep my cement in a contractor's garbage bag (thicker than regular) in a Rubbermaid trashcan with a closed lid. It has kept well for a couple of years now - and my basement is wet (frogs and salamanders). I finally found white portland at a Masonry Supply store. I found white sand at a different one. Home Depot's cement colors are expensive and dull. I bought some iron oxides (red, yellow, black and brown), chromium oxide (strong green) and titanium (white) at a ceramic supply. I did have a gorgeous blue from the Masonry Supply store, but it was special order and not as light-fast as I had hoped. I'm trying at swimming pool places. I have not found a good, true red - just a sort of brick color. I have not found a good place to buy silica flour.

Ok, I went down to the showroom and they had the wide type of basins and pedestals but none that matched YOUR pic exactly. You would have to buy the entire fountain, but the prices range between 93.00 to 133.00, so that's not ridiculously high. Here is a pic from their website of one of the fountains that I saw today: http://www.athensstonecasting.com/products.html?pid=256 Wait a minute.....I've found yours on the site too: http://www.athensstonecasting.com/products.html?pid=94 However, it was not in their showroom....you should call them and see if they will sell you the pedestal! If you want to come down here during one of our sample shows, let me know.

Holy Dog Urine.....that was fast! Are you all always this prompt when helping with Pet questions? If so, no need for me to ever go hunting and pecking all over the internet when I have a question/problem with any of my fur and feathered babes....I'll just come directly here! Cynthia, Ok, about the Lime...do you mean actual citrus lime? As in, juice? If so, then I'm in business as my neighbor has a lime tree and the limes are always dropping all over her yard and mine because she doesn't do anything with them. If not the citrus lime, what kind do you mean? Joepyeweed, Does Simple Solution have a decent scent? Normally I wouldn't care as long as I could get the old urine smell out of the area but since it's a place to relax I don't want another nasty scent added to the mix. Although, it can't be near as bad as some of the solutions I've tried already. lol Does Simple Solutions come in a concentrate so that I can mix up a garden pump sprayer of it for the week? I'll tell ya both...I had nooo idea old, dried dog urine could smell so bad when it's been dampened with hose water. My gosh, it was infiltrating into the house a whole double garage space away from it. You are both great for taking the time to read my question and respond, and so fast. Thank you both!