Abstract: A filtering apparatus comprising an elongate container body, an inlet, an inlet reservoir, an outlet, an outlet reservoir, and at least two filter elements, wherein each filter units contains two or more space-apart and co-axially stacked filter elements encased in a cylindrical-shaped filter cartridge. Contaminated fluid flows from the inlet, through the perforations located on the inlet reservoir separator, and into the elongate container body. Fluid flows into the filter units through perforations in the filter cartridge and the open ends of the filter cartridge. The filter units use an opposed axial flow method to draw the fluid through the filter elements. The filtered fluid flows through a perforation in the axial conduit, passes through the axial conduit outlet into the outlet reservoir. The filtered fluid then exits through the outlet. The present invention may be used in operation with a motor and pump to filter large flow rates and volumes of contaminated fluid.