A filter assembly comprising: a plurality of filter modules , wherein each filter module in said plurality of filter modules comprises: a frame ; a filtration element coupled within said frame; and at least one mating feature , wherein said at least one mating feature of said each filter module is configured for selective engagement with said at least one mating feature of another filter module such that said plurality of filter modules are coupled together in a serial arrangement defined by predetermined combinations based on type of the filtration element coupled within said each filter module and associated mating features, wherein each filter module in said plurality of filter modules is configured to be selectively and individually interchangeable with each other, wherein each filter module in said plurality of filter modules comprises at least one of a first set of the mating features and a second set of mating features, the first set of the mating features comprises a first female mating feature and a first male mating feature , and the second set of the mating features comprises a second female mating feature and a second male mating feature ; wherein the first female mating feature is configured to be engageable with both the first male mating feature and the second male mating feature , and the second female mating feature is configured to be engageable with the second male mating feature and not engageable with the first male mating feature . a plurality of filter modules , wherein each filter module in said plurality of filter modules comprises: a frame ; a filtration element coupled within said frame; and at least one mating feature , wherein said at least one mating feature of said each filter module is configured for selective engagement with said at least one mating feature of another filter module such that said plurality of filter modules are coupled together in a serial arrangement defined by predetermined combinations based on type of the filtration element coupled within said each filter module and associated mating features, wherein each filter module in said plurality of filter modules is configured to be selectively and individually interchangeable with each other, wherein a frame ; a filtration element coupled within said frame; and at least one mating feature , wherein said at least one mating feature of said each filter module is configured for selective engagement with said at least one mating feature of another filter module such that said plurality of filter modules are coupled together in a serial arrangement defined by predetermined combinations based on type of the filtration element coupled within said each filter module and associated mating features, wherein each filter module in said plurality of filter modules is configured to be selectively and individually interchangeable with each other, wherein each filter module in said plurality of filter modules comprises at least one of a first set of the mating features and a second set of mating features, the first set of the mating features comprises a first female mating feature and a first male mating feature , and the second set of the mating features comprises a second female mating feature and a second male mating feature ; wherein the first female mating feature is configured to be engageable with both the first male mating feature and the second male mating feature , and the second female mating feature is configured to be engageable with the second male mating feature and not engageable with the first male mating feature . <EOS>