diff --git a/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to30/namelist.init b/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to30/namelist.init
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..8aa9e9d56d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to30/namelist.init
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+config_rx1_min_levels = 8
+config_rx1_min_layer_thickness = 2.5
+config_global_ocean_minimum_depth = 20.0
diff --git a/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to30/so12to30.cfg b/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to30/so12to30.cfg
index d0bdfa0351..8744d2b0fd 100644
--- a/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to30/so12to30.cfg
+++ b/compass/ocean/tests/global_ocean/mesh/so12to30/so12to30.cfg
@@ -2,23 +2,7 @@
 [vertical_grid]
 
 # the type of vertical grid
-grid_type = index_tanh_dz
-
-# Number of vertical levels
-vert_levels = 64
-
-# Depth of the bottom of the ocean
-bottom_depth = 5500.0
-
-# The minimum layer thickness
-min_layer_thickness = 10.0
-
-# The maximum layer thickness
-max_layer_thickness = 250.0
-
-# The characteristic number of levels over which the transition between
-# the min and max occurs
-transition_levels = 28
+grid_type = 80layerE3SMv1
 
 
 # options for global ocean testcases