Hi All... Rink newbie here... Minneapolis. We've got a typical Minneapolis postage stamp type yard, but enough space for a small (tiny actually) rink that our 6 and 3 year old kids should be able to have some fun on this season. I've seen a few rink concepts based on 4" diameter PVC pipe (http:...

We warmed into the upper 30's a few times last week. I lost some ice around part of the perimeter of the rink and some areas became a little bumpy and porous. It's all fixed now after my bucket o' slush treatment yesterday evening and some resurfacing but it got me to thinking... Since I tend to los...

Hoping for perhaps one more weekend of skating here in Minneapolis... I put a layer of water (more than a simple resurface) on last night to keep the sun from chewing through more of my most exposed wall...and today I have a MAJOR seam of shell ice taking up about 75% of the surface. What to do...I ...

Indeed..definitely grateful to still have ice. And it wouldn't even warrant a post if it weren't covering most of the rink! OK...plan is to stomp/scrape it out and do some targeted filling with lukewarm water this evening...then a few boni passes once that freezes. Is it bad form to rub it in if I'm...

Last year was my rookie year with a backyard rink. Small, but oh so much fun for the family. Year #2 should be bigger and better. I've seen a few posts here and elsewhere about strategies to build up the "ground" under the rink with things like bags of mulch...I'm intrigued by this concept...

I like the look and modest safety improvement (for little kids) of the Nicerink bumper caps. I imagine that a bunch of swimming pool "noodles" could serve the same function and purpose... I've looked a few places online but can't find anyplace where I can specify a color. I don't even care...

Any pro tips out there for board art?

What works and doesn't break the bank? Printed/laminated paper for a short term thing? Stencils? Stickers?

Anyone have a tried and true solution?

Just a second year rink owner, but I had good luck running a screw or two into the stakes... This made the boards more stable and I'm doing the same thing this year. Be sure to tape over the screw heads if they protrude into the rink at all, or countersink if you have the patience. If you have a goo...

She's gorgeous!! Congratulations!

Hi all, First skate of the year in the books here in minneapolis...a nice 2 hour family affair on Thanksgiving. Today we went for round 2 and got a little water up over the edges in a few corners. My question...how much is too much water in this situation? I estimate it was perhaps 2 to 4 cups up ov...