Jumping right in...
I believe that differences are good because differences allow research to happen and new knowledge to be gained about these boids. I have some balls in tubs and some balls in reptile cages and I can tell no differences in eating, sleeping, stress levels, etc. All snakes have ample room to move around and all snakes have hides. It will be interesting to observe the snakes as they grow older and compare behaviors of older (larger) snakes in tubs to the older and larger snakes in the cages.
I believe there are correct husbandry methodologies that have been proven wise to follow (temps, humidity, hides, prey size, etc), but I have not ever been exposed to any research that suggests these requirements can not be met in enclosures other than tubs.
That's my 2 cents, for whatever it might be worth toward this discussion....