Abstract: A filter apparatus has a filter housing having suspended therein a filter element. The filter element includes a plurality of hollow threads made from a high molecular weight polymeric material. The threads are characterized by being porous and flexible as well as being closed at the bottom. The filter apparatus further has at least one baffle within the housing to cause turbulence in the liquid to filtered. The inside of each hollow thread is at a lower pressure than the liquid on the outside, so that the filtrate can enter through the porous membrane of the threads while leaving solid matter behind. The open tops of the threads are in communication with an opening in the filter housing through which filtrate, free of solid material, may be removed.