High Alkalinity and Calcium

[smcnally]

However, the recommended range that I have read is between 3 and 5 meq/liter or 8.4 to 14 dkH.

Where did you read this? I've always read that the recommended range is from 2.5-4 meq/L wich is 7-11dKh. I don't think 14 is going to cause huge issues, but it is quite a bit higher than everything I've read in the past and I don't want to see n00bs reading this and getting the wrong information. It could also answer a lot of the problems you've had with keeping your tanks stable over the years.