>I have never found the queen in my weak hive
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesqueenspotting.htm>When do I remove the queen before I install another(days/hrs etc)?
Ideal is overnight. Not more than 24 hours on the outside. Not less than 2 hours on the inside. But overnight is what I have the best luck with.
> And what do I put in my nuc (frames of brood, honey etc.)
You can start a nuc with anywhere from one frame of brood and one frame of honey to three frames of brood and two frames of honey. The latter will build MUCH more quickly.
>and how many days before i get queen do I do these manipulations for the nuc?
If you are buying a queen to install, it's the same principle. Overnight will give them time to realize they are queenless.
>Lastly, I want to keep a queen and preserve her. Suggestions on how to do this.
A two frame nuc is nice. A five frame nuc will do. A cage with the queen and a few bees in a box with a screen and some candy that you water every day will work for quite a while if you put new bees in every week or so. A cage with candy and attendents will for for a week or so.