wow 40ppm of nitrate, by what I know high nitrate isn't good for fish, and it can cos green water, all I can think of is getting some plant or let the algae grow which would cut down on the nitrate, but isn't so effective, but the least can be done, unless you can get a refugium tank. how about your water temperature cool hot?
also minimal water change would not stress your fish. I have overstocked tank too Oscar is fish that poop a lots I do water change all the time in a 4 feet tank about 50 gal, 2 bucket about 50 liter least each 1 or 2 days.
I was too stubborn before about how much fish I should have in 1 tank now I can only try to cope up with the water quality super over stocked tank 8 Oscar, 4 Giant gourami, 10 climbing perch or called climbing gourami. also 1 large pleco. eventually giant gourami just don't get a long well now down to 2 giant gourami, and 1 Oscar is move to new tank alone because growth rate are too slow or kind of sick not sure.
and good luck on the treatment hope you can share the experience here when the fish get well