Hi all,
I have this as a problem as well, as all my filters are on worktops and the pipes are all exposed. I clean them fairly regularly, as dirty pipes are a major cause of slow flow speed. I got fed up with taking all the pipe-work off every fortnight, so I invested in some Eheim double taps, and made all the runs of piping fairly short. This allows me to take off each pipe section separately (by closing the taps at either end), and clean it with a brush that I can just push in and pull out from either pipe end (but I use a long handled brush).
For 12/16mm piping I use one of these "13mm Dia. Burette Long Cleaning Brush Glass" from here: <
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Laboratory-Stuff-and-Fishy-Things?_trksid=p4340.l2563>
cheers Darrel