Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining an artificial aquatic environment for supporting aquatic organisms comprises forming a water tank with a water drain outlet located on a bottom of the water tank, providing a water filter means adjacent a water fill line of the water tank, the water filter means having a water containment housing with a water inlet and a water outlet, the water containment housing extending above and below the water line of the water tank, the water inlet being positioned higher than the water outlet, the water inlet being positioned at or below the water fill line of the water tank, a filter element removably positioned between the water inlet and the water outlet within the water containment housing, connecting the water drain outlet to the water filter means with a water drain conduit means such that the water filter means and the water tank have a common water line when the water tank is filled with water to the water fill line, providing a pumping means to pump water from the water