Water Heaters - Tank flush - how clear?

I read the sticky on tank flushing. I had some brownish tinge to my hot water, so figured I should flush. I ran a hose into a white food cooler so I could monitor the water color. I couldn't believe how brown it was - practically like mud. The sticky said it might take a few minutes to run clear. It's been going about 30 minutes now and it's a lot better, but not gin clear. Is it good enough? I can see clearly through 18 inches of water to the bottom of the cooler, but there's a slight tea tinge to the water. Does it need any more, or does this much sediment/color mean there might be a rusted tank or some other problem besides plan sediment? I bought the house about 3 months ago, so I don't know the history of the heater or flushing/maintenance. Thanks.

You can assume the history was no maintenance. When completely flushed the water coming out should look just like the water going in. What you have is probably fine, but I would shake it up a bit with a short back flush. Power/heat off, shut off the cold water coming in to the tank, hook up a hose from a cold water supply to the bottom drain on the heater (use a washing machine hose as a female to female adapter), then draw off a gallon or so full force at the closest hot water sink. Then reset things back to what you were doing before and see if it clears up.

Bud

Holy crap, another round of brown after "backflushing" it and then flushing. I can't believe how much gunk is in there. I hope it will be OK. Hot water taps are still running a little grungy, but I hope it will settle in a day or so.