I get 2 inch plecos and grow them to 12inches in a year. 15inches in 2years. Most common plecos grow too big for your regular tanks. They need BIG tanks or ponds. I have 4 Gibbicep plecos and 4 albino golden plecos living in my 45000L pond. They range from 6inches to 15inches.

A better alternative is to get bristlenoe catfish (Ancistrus sp) to do the algae cleanups in your tanks. They only get up to 3-4inches MAX.

U can feed plecos and bristlenoses with blanched squash as well.
Algae wafers are just too expensive....

kev