The original idea and recipe was using peat moss in the recipe so that it would wash out over time and leave little nooks and crannies. Perlite will disintegrate too. I wouldn't use any of the hypertufa recipes in a pool.
How about using rigid foam insulation, cut the size you need, glue layers together to get the thickness and height that you want and either leave it floating or install weighted legs.
You can keep those plastic tables from floating by attaching weights (ankle weights or bricks) to the legs. Billie

:-( I was afraid it wouldn't work. The plastic tables don't float, but they are too short, so if somebody swims, the water splashes over them.

Thanks for the fast answer!

Suzi

Couldn't you use regular concrete to create your table? it would be heavy enough that you could just set the top slab on top of the legs without attaching them, that way it may still be light enough to move.

The pool sound awesome; perfect for laps...I am sooo coming to visit you now and I'll dig up that bougainvillea myself (kidding) ;-)

Nik

Nik, I lost a little sleep last night pondering the why not of using hypertufa in a pool. My big thought was, "WAIT!" Don't they make bird baths out of this stuff? And rocks in ponds and waterfalls? Why not a table in a pool?

Yesterday, as we stood in the 5'deep, 91 degree water, sipping Margaritas, looking at that shelf, we thought about using concrete blocks on end for the legs, and then making a lightweight top. Maybe cluing rubber mats on the bottom of the concrete legs to protect the pool from the rough concrete..

I love the look of that faux bois! Not sure I could do it, but I am a fine art artist, and really, how hard can it be? LOL! I'm thinking hula hoops poly tubing for the structure, covered with wire mesh, then the hypurtufa, with a layered finish, and sealed well. I tried to put a link to the garden art forum's instructions, but it got bounced back for spam. I'll use their instructions, for sure.

Where there's a will, there's a way, they say!

Nik, Thanks for the compliment on the pool. It is really quite fabulous, but it needs a table! The bougainvillea would be tough to dig out, which is why it's getting the round up treatment. Offer stands for cuttings!

Suzi

Suzi, If you want to use hypertufa for a table in your pool, go for it. Just be aware that the peat moss or perlite washing out will wash into your pool.
This web site won't let you post a regular link to garden art's web site. For some reason this site thought they were trying to take over the world and banned them. Many of the early posters moved there or were banned. You've seen the posts there. Nothing but sharing info just as Don did here. Billie

Mmmmm...Margaritas sound good!

I have always said where there's a will there's a way, I think you are on track to make something very cool for your pool! I have amazed myself at the things I can do when I set my mind to it (many times encouraged by someone telling me it can't be done)

My first concrete adventure: In second grade, I decided our secret fort in the woods needed a swimming pool, so we stock piled soda cans filled with water in the fort, we dug a fairly big hole with play shovels, and I convinced my babysitter that I had to bring a bag of concrete mix to school for a project, she helped me set it against the side of the building and I almost got away with the plan, but I was caught dragging the bag across the playground at recess and I guess the powers that be didn't really think a pool in the woods was a good idea!

Thanks for the cuttings offer, but I am still struggling to get anything to grow roots from cuttings, despite studying up on it and trying every which method. I haven't given up totally, right now I am still nursing one last rose cutting, a couple of vitec (sp?) and 6 lavender cuttings, but I am not very optimistic given how many before them have bit the dust.

As you may be able to tell in my "citrus in tufa" pic on the container site, I broke down and bought myself a bougainvillea in a hanging basket.

Cant wait to see what you create for your card table!
Nik

Billie, Don't worry about my hypertufa table releasing peat and perlite into the pool! LOL! You should see what our desert winds release in there! Pool guy comes twice a week. It's his job to clean all foreign items out!

Nik, I'm glad you got a hanging bougainvillea! I do pretty good with cuttings, but I baby them. Good luck with your projects at the moment. I have about 80 grow bags all ready to be filled with Al's Gritty Mix for all my little cuttings, and the bags of Al's ingredients are waiting to be mixed. That's project no. 1. Once we get those all operational, THEN the pool table project.

They have flexible pvc pipe with 3 prong fittings, so it's possible I can make a circular frame with that, and have the 3rd fitting point down for a straight pvc pipe for the legs. Then wrap it all in wire mesh, and let the fun begin.

I'd like it to look exactly like the concrete top to the pool, so making a mold will be interesting. Corrugated Cardboard might work for making my circular shaped edge. I'm not stuck on a round table, but I think it would be a refreshing change from the angles of the pool. This is a summmer shot taken when the grand kids were over. That big slide is usually missing, but you get the idea!

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Suzi

Great pool! And is that a golf course behind it? Nice! I think a round table will look good and compliment the awesome planter at the corner!

Just had a thought after reading the dimensions you are after, couldn't you just use a plastic cheapo walmart kiddie pool as your mold?

granburyflowergirl, I trust your judgment. Round is best. I am not sure I can find a kiddie pool with straight sides 24-30 inches in diameter, but, you never know.

Yes, that is a golf course, and that planter you see is a fire bowl. At night, it's a party!!

Well, it's almost always a party! We farmers get up early and make sure the crops (in my case the vineyard and a few figs, citrus, olives and pomegranates) are all happy. Then we call the kids and make sure the grand kids are A-OK! Understand, lack of space causes the vineyard to be trellised in the side yards, and in containers everywhere else.

A few projects in between, perhaps a round of golf, and Pool Time!! Kinda rhymes with Tool Time!!

I am seriously looking to make this "pool" table. And I'm even thinking of putting side pockets in, velcro attached felt on the top and using Chop sticks as Cue sticks!! I would need some tiny balls, painted and numbered, and the 8 ball in black. I never saw a round pool table, so maybe I'll make our own rules, too!!

First things first, :-)

Suzi

Why not get two car inner tubes, inflate them, tape them together with duct tape or Gorilla Tape, tape a sheet of foam on top, then coat the whole thing with lightweight concrete?

If you wanted to make it even more stable, use a larger inner tube for the bottom one.

Sue

Thanks to all of you for your ideas! Sometimes the very thing you need is right in front of you, and you just don't see it.

This morning I looked out and noticed this tall round cocktail table we have, and it hit me! It's the perfect size!! So, I'm thinking, cover the table with plastic and then just cut some cardboard, tape benderboard around the edge, form the legs out of chicken wire, and make a chicken wire circle. Do a layer of hypertufa, then put the chicken wire circle in there with the legs sticking up, and finish the entire thing, cover it with plastic to cure and dry. I'm thinking this could just work!!

So a hypertufa table upside down, on top of a table until we can remove it and wait the appropriate time to use it.

Ya think?
Suzi

I think it'll work! From the reading I've done, I would recommend either sealing it prior to use or adding a fortifier to your mix so it will last longer. Post pics when you are done!