A geotextile apparatus (20, 70), comprising: a. an axially elongated tube having a circumference of at least six meters and defining an interior surface that defines a hollow interior of the tube which is water permeable but retains solids; b. a first generally planar porous shelf disposed within the interior of the tube and having a length extending axially down the length of the tube, the first shelf defining a first elongated side edge connected to the interior surface of the tube and a second elongated side edge disposed opposite the first side edge and connected to the interior surface of the tube, the distance between the first and second side edges (41a, 42a) defining the width of the first shelf extending across the interior of the tube, the first side edge and the second side edge of the first shelf being connected to respective sidewalls of the interior surface of the tube; c. a second generally planar porous shelf disposed above and spaced apart from the first shelf within the interior of the tube and having a length extending axially down the length of the tube, the second shelf defining a first elongated side edge connected to the interior surface of the tube and a second elongated side edge disposed opposite the first side edge and connected to the interior surface of the tube, the distance between the first and second side edges (41b, 42b) defining the width of the second shelf extending across the interior of the tube, the first side edge and the second side edge of the second shelf being connected to respective sidewalls of the interior surface of the tube; and d. at least a third generally planar porous shelf disposed above and spaced apart from the second shelf within the interior of the tube and having a length extending axially down the length of the tube, the third shelf defining a first elongated side edge connected to the interior surface of the tube and a second elongated side edge disposed opposite the first side edge and connected to the interior surface of the tube, the distance between the first and second side edges (41c, 42c) defining the width of the third shelf extending across the interior of the tube, the first side edge and the second side edge of the third shelf being connected to respective sidewalls of the interior surface of the tube. a. an axially elongated tube having a circumference of at least six meters and defining an interior surface that defines a hollow interior of the tube which is water permeable but retains solids; b. a first generally planar porous shelf disposed within the interior of the tube and having a length extending axially down the length of the tube, the first shelf defining a first elongated side edge connected to the interior surface of the tube and a second elongated side edge disposed opposite the first side edge and connected to the interior surface of the tube, the distance between the first and second side edges (41a, 42a) defining the width of the first shelf extending across the interior of the tube, the first side edge and the second side edge of the first shelf being connected to respective sidewalls of the interior surface of the tube; c. a second generally planar porous shelf disposed above and spaced apart from the first shelf within the interior of the tube and having a length extending axially down the length of the tube, the second shelf defining a first elongated side edge connected to the interior surface of the tube and a second elongated side edge disposed opposite the first side edge and connected to the interior surface of the tube, the distance between the first and second side edges (41b, 42b) defining the width of the second shelf extending across the interior of the tube, the first side edge and the second side edge of the second shelf being connected to respective sidewalls of the interior surface of the tube; and d. at least a third generally planar porous shelf disposed above and spaced apart from the second shelf within the interior of the tube and having a length extending axially down the length of the tube, the third shelf defining a first elongated side edge connected to the interior surface of the tube and a second elongated side edge disposed opposite the first side edge and connected to the interior surface of the tube, the distance between the first and second side edges (41c, 42c) defining the width of the third shelf extending across the interior of the tube, the first side edge and the second side edge of the third shelf being connected to respective sidewalls of the interior surface of the tube.