The research entomologist at a Midwestern university has an observation hive
in his office with a 1 1/2 inch of PVC pipe to the outside allowing the bees
an exit to the outside and they seem to get along fine. Another instance is
much the same in one of the city parks in Columbus Ohio and they also get
along fine. As with most observation hives the will take constant "baby
sitting' for brood and stores supply.  I never have figured out why, except
that in such a narrow confined space the hive temperatures fluctuate wildly
and the presence of light plus pheromone disruption probably place the hive
under untold stress

Dan Veilleux & Janet Montgomery
Vilas, NC