Your friend's pool volume is 35,000 gallons, right? Add larger doses of Borax. At least a box at a time and maybe even two boxes at a time until the pH starts to move. I *think* that an alk test that turns pink instead of green indicates really, really low pH. I need to verify this. At any rate, with such a high volume pool and adding a half a box at at time isn't putting a dent into it. Any other stores that carry Borax? Our grocery stores carry it and I think K-Mart. If not, you can use washing soda or soda ash if you can't find Borax. (They will raise alk and pH.)