Multi-stage particulate filter including a cleaning mechanism

A filter comprising:

• a perforated enclosure including a first end and a second end;
• a pleated filter comprising a filter body and a closed end cap including an opening, the filter body defining a central cavity, wherein the closed end cap is couplable to the first end of the perforated enclosure;
• and
• a magnetic rod positioned within the perforated enclosure, wherein the magnetic rod is couplable to the opening of the closed end cap and abuts the opening when coupled thereto, wherein the magnetic rod attracts particles from a fluid passing through the central cavity of the pleated filter,
• wherein the pleated filter is selectively couplable to the perforated enclosure such that the pleated filter is selectively removable from the perforated enclosure.

A method of filtering a fluid, the method comprising;

• providing an untreated fluid;
• providing a filtration apparatus comprising:
• an enclosure;
• a magnetic rod coupled to the enclosure;
• and
• a pleated filter that substantially surrounds the magnetic rod when the pleated filter is inserted into the filtration apparatus;
• removing magnetic particles from the untreated fluid with the magnetic rod, thereby generating a prefiltered fluid;
• and
• filtering the prefiltered fluid with the pleated filter, thereby generating a filtered fluid.