Tag elevation of suspended fixture

[HVAC-Novice]

I have pendant fixtures placed on a reference plane. Height adjusted from there (e..g suspend 4'). On the ceiling plan I want  the tag to show the actual height of the fixture with a tag ("Elevation from Level" parameter). 

That works, except in a ceiling view that tag attaches to the fixture where it is attached to the reference plane, and not the actual fixture height. For example my reference plane is at 15', and I drop the fixture 4' from there, it should show 11' (which the installer needs to know). But as it is, the tag attaches to the reference plan height and shows 15'

In a section or elevation view I can accurately place a spot elevation to the actual fixture and it shows the correct height. 

My suspicion is I need to do something with the original family reference level and reference plane (out of the box those are at the same elevation). I don't really understand why there are these 2, what the difference is, and if one or the other could or should be unpinned and moved around. 

my current family (attached) uses a new generic reference plane to drop the fixture from the reference plane. My suspicion is that is causing a problem.

Workaround would be to create elevation/section views or to use multiple reference planes in the model. but that adds views, work and makes it more busy. i rather fix the family. 

so far I ignored the family reference level and plan in families and just left them alone. Bu ti think learning about what i can do with them will be beneficial beyond this problem.