An aquarium filter assembly includes a filter assembly body, a water supply section and a filtered water section, the aquarium filter assembly being adapted for liquid connection with an aquarium, a removable filter cartridge caddy within the filter assembly body, a base with an outer peripheral wall extending upwardly from the base and an inner peripheral wall extending upwardly from the base surrounding an opening in the base, a support for a filter cartridge, a lift handle, a removable cover connectable to an upper portion of the support; a multi-paneled filter cartridge of filter material with a space between the panels removably supportable on the support; and a water supply assembly to supply water from the aquarium to the filtered water section, such that water flows from the water supply section through the filter cartridge supported by the caddy, into the filtered water section of the filter assembly body and then into the aquarium.