For my gila display I use fine crushed granite for substrate, about 4 inches deep. After adding the substrate use a spray bottle to lightly mist the granite with water. This should control any dust problems. For a hide area I use a large slab of flagstone (roughly 20 inches x 20 inches wide and about 1 inch thick) carefully propped up on top of several rocks. Do this all the way on one end of the terrarium. Make sure that the rocks are placed deep in the substrate so that it will not fall if your gila digs around that area. There are many natural looking backgrounds available at most pet supply retailers, just choose one that closely resembles the granite etc.. You can place rocks, water dishes, fake cacti and any other desert-like decorations afterwards. Mist the substrate and especially inside the hide every other day, this should keep the humidity levels correct. For lighting I use 2 100 watt uva/uvb bulbs set only on the opposite side of the terrarium away from the hide area (this allows for a cool area and a warm basking area) Timers can be used to control light cycles. The crushed granite and flagstones are available at most cement/construction centers. good luck.

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