A water filtering system is provided for growing algae that filters the water. The system may include a container having a cylindrical inner surface and an opening at one end of the container. A clear central core including a cavity may be disposed inside the container and a light source may be disposed inside the cavity of the clear central core. A screen mesh may be disposed inside the container such that a surface of the screen mesh is parallel to the cylindrical inner surface of the container. The system may include an inlet configured to route water into the container and an outlet configured to route water from the container. A lid may cover the opening of the container.
