Dustin is also a gifted comedian and keeps the staff and customers entertained with his outrageous skits. One day he may very well be the next Jim Carey! Until then he will keep us all laughing hysterically throughout the day.
Dustin's work week is Friday through to Tuesday.
Claire McOuat has been working at Aquariums West since she was 12 years old. She is now 18, working and attending school. Over the years Claire has developed a love for aquariums, reptiles and small animals. She has had many pets including a Bearded Dragon, Corn Snake, Family of Degus, Hamster, Cat, kittens and countless tropical fish. Claire loves designing and setting up the Fluval aquariums and Betta environments. She is learning all about the ADA Nature Aquariums and is developing a greater understanding of the complexities of a beautiful aquascape.
Besides being a wonderful employee (and our middle child) Claire is a talented jazz/blues singer who has co-written and recorded countless songs from jazz, rock, blues to country. She has sung back up vocals for different artists as well as recorded 3 complete CD's of music written specifically for Claire. She plans to move to Montreal in the fall to attend university and pursue her musical talents as well as learn more about life. Until then, we love having her work with us.
Claire works Sunday, Monday and Tuesday
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Joseph Uy on left Takashi Amano right |
Joseph Uy, owner of Miyabi Aqua Design and our Canadian ADA representative has been helping out in the store every Saturday to answer questions about ADA products and share his vast knowledge of tropical fishkeeping with customers and staff alike. We are all learning so much from Joseph. The latest tip is how to finally get rid of beard algae! If you want to find out, just ask Joseph. He has been living in Canada for just a year having immigrated from the Phillipines. Joseph is a wonderful, kind, honest and hardworking individual who I have come to greatly admire.
Joseph was the first Canadian to participate and complete the Nature Aquarium Seminar at the Aqua Design Amano (ADA) Headquarters in Niigata Japan in 2011. This seminar was conducted by Mr. Amano Takashi, owner of ADA, and was designed to teach participants how to start a Nature Aquarium concept from scratch. His own personal aquariums, Tropical Dreams, (picture below) has been featured in the book "The Most Beautiful Aquariums of the World".
Joseph works every Saturday.
Roger Gariepy began working at Aquariums West in 2009 although he has been a customer for over 25 years. 
He has a contagious passion for tropical fish, and aquatic gardening and is full of creative ideas. He has many tips to share with our customers which he has picked up over the years. Besides working part time at Aquariums West, Roger also works as a hairdresser, and as a gardener specializing in natural landscape designs and water features. I am so fortunate to have had Roger design our own beautiful garden at home. (He also cuts my hair!)
He can incorporate ponds and plants into any setting whether outdoors or indoors. His own patio is a gorgeous piece of art and his apartment is filled with exotic tropical plants! He is available to transform your balcony, rooftop patio or garden into a beautiful, tranquil oasis just like his complete with fish and plants. Call the store @ 604-669-9249 to set up an appointment with Roger.
Having owned a Freshwater Aquarium for many years, Roger has recently added a saltwater aquarium to his collection. It is as remarkable as his fresh water aquarium and outdoor pond. Stay tuned for more pictures and videos coming soon.
To see Rogers aquarium click here.
Roger works every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
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Jesse San Severino and "Texas" his rescued Bull Terrier |
Jesse San Severino is the latest shining star who has just started working at Aquariums West. We are so lucky to have Jesse "apprentice" as a pet specialist in training. Animals are his passion and he is extremely devoted to the well being of his own critters. Besides his Poison dart frogs, micro day geckos, tropical fish tank and boa constrictor, Jesse has a wonderful Bull Terrier that his family rescued from an animal shelter in Texas.
"We found Texas on a website and knew he needed our help. He was in bad shape. 20 lbs. under weight, wounded, with severe mange and heart worm. A wonderful lady had rescued him from certain euthanasia and that's where we stepped in. When he was well enough we bought him a plane ticket and the lady drove 4 hours to the airport, put him in a crate, and at 1:30 am, 3 years ago, we uncrated the greatest dog ever! There are countless amazing homeless dogs and cats that need good homes".
Jesse is a zealous Grade 7 student and talented defensive hockey player who was lucky enough to compete in the biggest amateur hockey tournament in the world. He played with the best players from 23 different countries to an audience of 14,000. His team placed 10th in the top tier. Well done Jesse!
Please be patient with Jesse while he learns the ropes.
You can see Jesse every Sunday from 11-2 unless he has a hockey game.
Cortland Weiner "Cort" is another shining star who has begun his apprenticeship as a pet specialist in training at Aquariums West this January 2012. He has a very easy going demeanor and is not easily rattled thank goodness! He learns quickly and has almost perfected tying up a fish bag. A few more and he will have it! Cort goes to West Vancouver Secondary School and is in Grade 8. He is a recent import from L.A. California where he had a 150 Gallon freshwater Piranha tank. He had to leave his fish behind but did not leave his interest in tropical fish behind. He continues to learn as much as he can about aquariums and has decided to try his hand with Discus. He has installed a CO2 system in his aquarium and has just added a Madagascar Lace plant to his collection. Cort is so obsessed with all things aquatic, to say he is eager to work at the store is a massive understatement! He may become a marine biologist one day...
Cort has just joined his school's Ski Team and will be soon racing on Whistler Mountain.
It is such a pleasure to work with Cort and it is also a pleasure to meet a young person who wants to begin working as early in life as possible.
You can see Cort every Thursday afternoon from 4-7.
Costin Andrei brings his experience of tropical fish keeping from Romania as well as working in the aquarium business in Vancouver for the past 5 years. His many specialties include the design of both Saltwater and Freshwater natural environments right from the drawing board to completion. He is extremely well versed in the latest technologies as they come to light on subjects relating to designing aquascapes, technical equiptment, and saltwater and freshwater fish care. Costine's passion for the "Perfect Aquarium" is reflected in the many aquascapes that he has created for his clients.
Here is what Costine says:
The concept is simplicity. Nature is simple as long as we understand how it works.
All my ideas are based on that natural simplicity but also adding the modern factor to the table. Combine that with the health benefits that a fish tank has to offer and you are on your way to a better life.
I bring the fun.
I create the centre of attention.
I will teach you how to use the life within it...
how to relax and witness evolution in a "glass" of water.
It's high definition on continuous play.
Just sit back, relax and dive in your dreams
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Costin has graduated from working for Aquariums West to working for himself by establishing his own company AquaVibes. We refer Costine to all of our customers who want something extra special for their home or office. His company provides everything from the set up to maintaining your aquarium on a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly basis. Costine's artistic eye and his attention to fine details turns an aquarium into a piece of art. To reach Costin call (778) 385-0945.
Costin is also an accomplished method actor having graduated from the Methodica Acting Studio in Vancouver. He has been in many plays in Vancouver's Fringe Festival over the past two years. He has also studied Public Relations and Communications in Romania, and can speak both English and Romanian fluently and understands French and Spanish.
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Customer's Profile 1000 Planted Aquarium Designed by Costin Andrei of Aqua Vibes |
Camille McOuat (our oldest daughter) takes many of the photographs that you see on the website. She worked at Aquariums West for many years while she was going to high school and during her summers home from university. She graduated from McGill University in Psychology and is currently living in Paris, France working on many projects as a photographer.
He is an expert in both of these fields and is sought after by many animal organizations to assist in their animal care husbandry. He can help design beautiful custom aquariums or terrariums. He is very fussy and his attention to detail is much appreciated by our customers. For specialized assistance from Kreig regarding the design and setup of a salt water reef system or a exotic reptile environment, please call to make an appointment at 604-669-9249 or email 
