The instructions are designed for a child to understand. The 12 oz. aquarium is provided with the packages of materials, 1) a blue pack with salt and water purifier, 2) a red pack with eggs and salt, and 3) a green pack with food. First fill the container with spring water and add package #1. Package #1 contains a declorinator to purify tap water if used, and let set for 24 hours. Then on Day 2, add package 2 with the eggs, stir. If all goes well, small brine shrimp will be swimming in the water, and if not, the egg were not viable or present. The hatchlings are microscopic at first. The eggs can be purchase separately for $7.71 if the batch is bad.